UNIT 1 DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Flashcards
current systems of representative democracy
Social representation
- 29% of mps privately educated, only 7% of the population
- 14% of mps are ethnic minorities, 13% of the population is - according to 2021 census
-263 mps out of 650 mps are women
National interest
-Conservative Goldsmith in richmond sear in 2016- even if constituency may be against expansion of air port- expansion may boost economy
Constituency Representation
-in pmqs, mps will ask specific questions concerning their constituencies, such as hospital funding
-Mps hold surgeries where constituents can meet their MP
Party representation
- adhere to a whip when voting, consequence for rebelling against it
-mandate based on manifesto- voted in as mp based on party manifesto
Occupational/social Representation
-david lammy gives speeches on hostile govt policy due to being descendant of gen windrush
casual representation
current systems of direct democracy
referendums
-brexit referendum 2016
Scottish referendum, 1997, 2014
mp recall act of 2015
-used on Chris davies in 2015 when he lied about his taxes
boris Johnson resigned in 2023 from uxbridge sear before recall for 10 day suspension because of him lying to the HoC
E petitions
- meningitis b vaccine for children
- second eu referendum
open primaries
-MP Sarah Wollaston in 2009 became conservative candidate due to an open primary
consultative exercises
-communities affected were consulted concerning heathrow expansion and the building of the HS2 Railway
features of direct democracy
citizens directly vote on matters as opposed to representative democracy
features of representative democracy
people are represented by others, reps usually elected reps act as a trustee- expected to respond to electors and use their own judgement. Rep Dem in the uk should be understood as a mandate and manifesto
similarities between direct and representative democracy
differences between direct and representative democracy
advantages of direct democracy
- No MP to muddle up people’s wants
-works well for wider problems with little nuance
-helps fix if there is a divide in the country over a particular issue- i.e brexit/ scottish independence
-better representation of the people - individuals directly impacted by the issue= more aware then MP in some scenarios
- greater representation of minorities- i.e FPTP removes representation of parts of the population
-can be faster
disadvantages of direct democracy
-misinformed people
- waste time
-inefficient for a large population
-tyranny of the majority - may not respect the majority
how democratic is the uk
peaceful transition of power
+all parties have accepted the results of elections
- when results have been unclear - riots in 2010 and 2017
free elections
+most people over 18 can vote, little fraud and strong legal safeguards exist
- campaigns for 16+ voting, prisoners and non british nationalities to vote
fair elections
+proportional systems in place n scotland wales and NI
- FPTP is a majoritarian system, leads to party with under 50 % of the vote getting over 50% of the seats in parliament
widespread participation
+pluralist democracy, citizens can vote in GE, Referendums and join political parties
- 2024 lowest voter turn out since 2001- 60%
freedom of expression
+freedom of speech and access to gvt info is part of HRA1998 and freedom of information act 2001
- few large companies own most of the pess. falso info online
freedom of association
+mo restrictions on legal organisations and public protests
- unseen cultural and gendered blocks on joining certain organisations or groupings , police crime and sentencing act 2022
protection of rights and liberties
+HRA 1998 and 2010 Equality act
- EECHR not binding on the uk parliament, parli is sovereign
the rule of law
+ewulity act 2010, all citizens treated equally and government is subject to these laws
- monarch is excempt, higher social class people treated more leniant then lower class people
a constitution
+HRA act as a restraint on govt actions and constitutional checks exist to limit govt power
- no codified constituition
reforms of the representative democracy
replace HOL with elected chamber
Replace FPTP with more proportional electoral system
Codify the constitution
Devolved english parliament to equalise devolution
introduce state party funding
introduce compulsory voting
replace the monarch with an elected head of state
digital democracy
pressure groups examples
pressure groups use
resources,
-CBI dont openly donate to parties but RICH
-Trade Unions Labour Party funding, in 2014 they accounted for 58% of all funding,
however 2016, 38 degrees, over 320,000 signatures against privatizing the land registry was successful
ideological compatibility,
BMA, farmers association called on by govt for decision making
CBI under the Tories since 2010, with both agreeing business first- cutting it to 19% by Nov 2016
-BMA resort to unsuccessful strike action concerning new contracts which is an outsider tactic
status
- run offices as close as possible to points of access, london, mayor
-CBI has offices in leading commercial centres across the UK
expertise methods and tactics:
- friends of earth
-save englands forest campaign 2010
-however can still fail if govt against it.
popularity:
- snowdrop campaign
-celebrity endorsement- gurkha soldiers
however; iraq war marches 2003
types of pressure groups
insider
outsider
sectional/ interest (specific group, i.e BMA)
cause/ promotional
other influences outside of pressure groups
1832 great reform act
right to vote for small property holders and tenant farmers.
gave seats to urban areas like manchester
all male householders who paid £10 or more in rent to towns could vote too
1918 great reform act
All men over 21 and women over 30(who owned property/ husband owned property) enfranchised. 75% of adult population can vote.
