UK Politics Flashcards
+ and - of representative democracy vs. direct democracy
The public votes for politicians who will represent their views
+ professionals make decisions, minority views are upheld, elected politicians are held accountable, practical
- citizens are disengaged from politics, politicians lack independence due to party whip systems, politicians can swerve accountability, they are open to corruption and self-interest
vs. direct democracy = everyone participates so all citizens are equal, however, tyranny of the majority, apathy, people vote on thier own interests not society’s
How to fix low turnout (as a result of a participation crisis)
How healthy is the UK democracy?
- referendums
- compulsory voting
- lowering the voting age
- change the voting system so it is no longer a two-party system
How healthy? = elections, representation, citizens rights, pressure groups, limited governmnet, independent judiciary
FPTP
+ -
Simple plurality = the candidate in each constituency with the most votes wins the seat
+ = simple and strong MP-constituency links, less minority governments as strong results, quick, keeps out small extremist groups
- = disproportional outcomes [most parties do not get a majority], two party system, third parties are discriminated against, creates a winners bonus, so weakens their mandate, safe seats, marginal seats
Boris Johnson 2019 = 80 seat majority vs. 43.6% voted for him + 67.3% turnount so only backedd by 29.3%
Alternative Vote/Supplementary vote
+ -
AV - Voters number candidates in order of preference, if no majority, the top two candidates gain voters second preferences [SV = voters pick top two candidates so 2 preferences]
+ = reduces wasted votes, encourages competition for safe seats, encourages campaigning to gain second preferences, simple, could easily replace FPTP, all MPs have a majority, good MP-constituency links
- = cannot guarantee a majority of voters have backed a candidate, discriminates against smaller third parties that will not make the final two, tactical voting of second preference
SV — e.g. London Mayoral Election 2016 = Sadiq Khan got 44.2% in the first round and 56.8% in the second
Additional member system
+ -
Two separate votes and one for a local constituency and another for one political party
+ = it is proportional, it gives voters a wider choice, and a coalition government is more likely
- = a coalition is more likely, list members are chosen by the party, having two representatives creates animosity between them, and is complicated, small parties less well represented
— e.g. Scottish Parliament election 2016 - SNP results
Constituency = 47% of the vote + 81% of the seats
Combined = 45% of the vote + 49% of the seats
Single Transferable Vote
+ -
Voters choose a 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice and candidates have to meet a quota, and surplus votes are redistributed, if no one reaches the quota the least popular candidate is eliminated
+ = fewer wasted votes, greater candidate choice, voters get more than one representative, no safe seats, more likely to form a coalition (good for NI)
- = counting takes longer, ballots can be big and confusing, Multi-Member Constituencies mean lines of accountability for representation is less clear, ‘donkey voting’ = people vote for candidates in order of appearance
— e.g. NI assembly results 2017 — DUP = 28.1% of the votes vs. Sinn Féin = 27.9% of the votes
Voting Behaviour
What is the Dominant Ideology Model vs. Voting Context model vs. Patisian Identification Model vs. Rational Choice Theory
Dominant Ideology Model = A set of beliefs greatly influence how an individual views the world and so shapes their political views —> proven by the… agenda setting theory, the framing theory, the reinforcement theory
Voting Context model = Voting behaviour will vary due to the circumstances and events surrounding the general elections
Partisan identification model = Voters are psychologically attached to a particular party despite short term factors
Rational Choice Theory = Voters weigh up their options and make a conscious choice about to to vote for —> relies on voters reading manifestos (which they don’t) - successful parties are able to adapt their policies to be popular
Voting Behaviour
Social Structure
Factors in these models:
• gender
• ethnicity = 70% of non-white voters voted Labour in 1997
• class — proven wrong by class dealignment + groups overlap = Labour were 4% behind Tories in top 3 socio-economic groupings in 2017
• age = older people vote conservative + In 2017 57% of 18-19 year olds voted
• region = SNP won 56/59 seats of the Scottish Westminster seats in 2015
What are the functions of pressure groups
Representation
Political participation
Inform government
Educate the public
Hold government accountable
Types of groups
Sectional groups/interest groups = who protect the interests of its members — The TUC represents workers and has over 5.5 million members + The British Medical Association represents doctors
Promotional groups/Cause groups = aim to promote issues
Insider groups = regularly consult with the government [Confederation of British Industry]
Outsider groups = not closely associated with the governmnet so instead mobilise public support
Other organisations = corporations, lobbyists, think tanks [The Adam Smith Institution]
What are factors that influence the success of a pressure group
- financial resources —> to be able to hire lobbyists, have offices near access points, and to donate to political parties + influence on the government significant for insider groups
- large memberships = legitimacy — TUC = 5.5 million members
- strong opposition = Britain Stronger in Europe vs. Anti-Common Market League
- celebrity support = Jamie Oliver’s campaign for good food in schools
Examples of Blair’s constitutional reform
- House of Lords Act 1999 = left 92 hereditary peers
- Scottish Act 1998, Government of Wales Act 1998, NI Act 1998 = devolution
- Constitutional Reform Act 2005 = established the Supreme Court (JAC + Lord Chancellor role divided) — Supreme Court established in 2009
- Human Rights Act 1998 = incorporated the rights set out in the ECHR
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
Phrase by Lord… vs. functions of parties [+ and - enchancing democracy]
Lord Hailsham 1976 = ‘Elected dictatorship’ = one party dominates
Functions of political parties = representation, participation, elections, organisation, education
+ participation, choice, educate and inform, uphold authority, representation, peaceful transfer of power
– adversarial politics, low turnout, higher finances means more success, oversimplifies an issue [BREXIT], parties are misleading, whips, fail to represent society and its makeup
Factors affecting party success
Policy = Blair
Leaders = Blair vs. weak Major
Media = PR camapign of Thatcher
Campaign = PR camapign of Thatcher
Opposition = weak Major versus charismatic Blair
Party unity = Major and EU
Circumstances + Events = economy [Blair and Thatcher]
Case study
1997 general election
Labour won …
418 seats [+145 seats (from last GE)]
43.2% of the popular vote
Media = published scandals on Major’s government making Blair look organised and stable
70% of non-white voters voted Labour
