UK POL: D+P

Question 1

What is direct democracy

Answer 1

System of government with popular participation where people make the policy decisions. People therefore engage with politics on an ongoing basis

Question 2

What is representative democracy?

Answer 2

Popular participation is indirect, the public do not exercise the power themselves but elect people who will rule on their behalf. Participation is limited, infrequent and brief, restricted to elections every few years.

Question 3

What are advantages to direct democracy?

Answer 3

1. Putting power in the hands of ordinary people increasing understanding + participation
2. People obey the laws they make
3. Development of citizens within democracy (only pure form)
4. Less dependence on self-serving politicians and ensures a legitimate rule
5. Increases trust and acceptability of gov.

Question 4

What are disadvantages to direct democracy?

Answer 4

1. Only achievable in relatively small communities (gov mass meetings?) examples are Switz + Slovakia
2. Meetings (diplomacy) can’t happen when consulting millions each time
3. Citizens cannot carry out their other duties while doing politics
4. Citizens may not have time to educate themselves and therefore may be uninformed (e.g. Brexit referendum)

Question 5

What are advantages to representative democracy

Answer 5

1. Only form of democracy which can operate on large systems like UK/US
2. Single choice, who to represent you
3. Govern people using superior understanding and education
4. A certain level of apathy is helpful in maintaining stability: The more passionate and involved citizens become the more disagreements happen (Brexit)

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?

Answer 6

1. Gulf between the government and people which leads to political apathy and powerlessness
2. Voting is infrequent allowing people to “switch-off” from politics
3. Government by politicians will never be representative of the people, only their ambitions
4. 2019 63% people felt system was rigged for the rich and powerful
5. Voter turnout is low in local elections: 36% 2004, 25% 2019 and general elections are not as high as they should be to ensure democracy (In the last 30 years highest turnout was 77% in 1992)

Question 7

Should referendums be used more frequently in the UK? (YES)

Answer 7

1. There is support for wider use. 55% of the public agreed important questions should be put to it
2. If citizens can initiate referendums this will legitimise gov response + participation
3. Direct democracy only pure form of democracy, with more frequent use people will become more educated

Question 8

Should referendums be used more frequently in the UK? (NO)

Answer 8

1. The government will only call referendums for support when they think they’ll win
2. People are not informed enough to make the choice alone (+misinformation)
3. Referendums in the UK are not constitutionally binding (+constitution is not binding either)
4. Disagreements in the result lead to polarisation

Question 9

Should the process for recalling MPs be easier? (YES)

Answer 9

• Constituents could recall MPs when they fail to deliver on their promises, increasing accountability and trust. Fiona Onasanya suspended from HoC for lying about speeding and criminal conviction: first use of 2015 Recall Act

Question 10

Should the process for recalling MPs be easier? (no)

Answer 10

• Critics of the 2015 Recall of MPs Act say that it would mean MPs cannot think for themselves and just become mouthpieces (delegate model). Without independence they cannot be held accountable

Question 11

Argument for devolved governments in a healthy democracy

Answer 11

1. Everyone has a say to legitimised government- However, it is inefficient + Welsh turnout 30% no demand for devolved body
2. Balance of powers, regions having specific catered focuses (e.g. Scottish health + schools)

Question 12

Arguments for wide range of political parties and pressure groups in democracy

Answer 12

1. Everyone is well represented and can hold the majority and politicians to account
2. Widens voter choice and increases participation
3. More competition leads to better policy with less loopholes
4. Iron triangles and the control of the rich would have less efficiency in a government where there is third party interference and debate

Question 13

Argument for/against free and fair elections in democracy

Answer 13

1. Legitimate governments, giving representation with popular support
2. Many may not be informed as to what they are voting for + can lead to decreased participation in areas outside of voting (pressure groups, protests and debates)

Question 14

Arguments for/against an Independent Judiciary

Answer 14

1. Hold the executive to account so politicians can perpetuate self-interest
2. Judicial activism may lead to government inefficiency
3. Checks and balances on the executive
4. On the other hand, they are not elected and cannot be politicians/linked to politicians as they would then not be independent

Question 15

Arguments for/against free media

Answer 15

1. Closes gap between public and government
2. Hold government to account independently
3. Increases awareness and engagement
4. However, can be misleading or exaggerating news. Polarisation and media manipulation by the rich (e.g. Rupert Murdock)
5. Some parties have affiliation with specific newspapers (can instruct them, e.g. Daily Mail allies with the conservative party and works with them)

Question 16

How does the House of Lords undermine UK democracy

Answer 16

Unelected body with no elections completely independent (no popular participation). Bad for accountability and representation

Question 17

How do a lack of rights and protections undermine UK democracy?

Answer 17

People are distanced from the government and government able to dominate public opinion

Question 18

How does control of media by wealthy interests undermine democracy

Answer 18

1. Government not held to account
2. Public opinion diluted and manipulated
3. People distanced from government

Question 19

How does FPTP undermine democracy

Answer 19

1. Hundreds of thousands of votes go to waste every year due to winner-takes-all system
2. FPTP gives a winner’s bonus which is inaccurate

Question 20

Why are small parties like UKIP more likely to experience higher turnout than major parties

Answer 20

Single-issue party and smaller without factionalism

Question 21

What are all the pressure groups you can refer to in an essay?

Answer 21

1. British Medical Association
2. Citizens UK
3. Extinction Rebellion
4. Good Law Project
5. Campaign for Freedom of Information
6. Liberty
7. Insulate Britain
8. Ghurka Justice Campaign

Question 22

What are the successes of the British Medical Association?

Answer 22

1. Association has national offices in all devolved nations largest cities and a European office in Brussels, showing widespread prominence
2. 2001 gained government recognition over recruitment crisis in general practise thanks to lobbying efforts
3. Campaigns against smoking including plan packaging and actions against smoking in public places and cars have been successful
4. Won a judicial review which overturned regulations giving Sec. of State for Health + Social care the power to suspend the payment of pensions to a Dr charged with criminal offences but not yet convicted

Question 23

What are the failures of the British Medical Association?

Answer 23

1. BMA became involved in a dispute over new junior doctors contracts and instigated strikes. The case was then taken to the high court in 2016 where they lost the case
2. 2019 BMA faced criticism after 2 leading GPs blew the whistle on sexism and harassment in the organisation- Independent Romney Review described them as an “old boys club” which undervalued women

Question 24

What are the successes of the Campaign for Freedom of Information

Answer 24

1. 1993 the “Right to Know” Bill was introduced by Mark Fisher MP and debated in HoC for 21 hours
2. Tony Wright introduced Whistle-Blower Protection Bill (drafted by CFI) as a 10-min rule bill in 1995. When the Labour party was elected the “Public Interest Disclosure Bill” received assent ‘98
3. Lobbied Blair to honour manifesto commitment and introduce Freedom of Information Act in 2000
4. Since 2005 they have opposed attempts to make it easier for public authorities to refuse FOI on cost grounds, remove Parliament and MPs expenses from leg. and exclude policy discussions/introduce charges for requests

Question 25

What are the failures of the Campaign for Freedom of Information

Answer 25

1. No concrete examples of failures
2. Generic examples of government censorship/failure to provide adequate responses to the freedom of information requests how