UK Politics key terms 1: Democracy & Participation

Question 1

DIRECT DEMOCRACY

Answer 1

All individuals express their opinions themselves NOT through representatives acting on their behalf

Question 2

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY

Answer 2

Individual selects a person (and/or political party) to act on their behalf to exercise political choice

Question 3

DEMOCRACTIC DEFICIT

Answer 3

> flaws in democratic process
decisions taken by ppl who lack legitimacy - not appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability

Question 4

PARTICIPATION CRISIS

Answer 4

lack of engagement by a significant number of citizens by choosing not to vote OR become members of political parties OR to offer themselves to public office

Question 5

FRANCHISE/ SUFFRAGE

Answer 5

Ability/ right to vote in public elections

Question 6

THINK TANKS

Answer 6

Body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain topic(s)
>investigate & offer solutions to complicated economic, social or political issues

Question 7

LOBBYSISTS

Answer 7

Paid by clients to try influence the gov and/or MPs & members of HOL to act in their clients’ interests (particularly when legislation is under consideration)