Unit 1.1 Democracy & Political Participation Flashcards
Define: Legitimacy
The degree to which the state or its government can be considered to have the right to exercise power.
Can be achieved through elections/referendums.
Define: Power
The ability of an individual or an institution to force/influence people to do things, whether they wish to or not.
Define: Authority
The right to exercise power rather than the exercise of power itself, without authority power becomes mere force. “Legitimate power”.
Define: Sovereignty
Ultimate political power and the source of all political authority.
Define: Coercive power
The ability to control others through fear/punishment/loss of valued outcome.
Define: Representative democracy
A type of democracy whereby individuals are elected to represent the publics decisions (perhaps because the representatives are better educated than the general public).
Decisions based on popular opinion.
Define: Direct democracy
A type of democracy whereby everyone has a fair opportunity and equal chance to get involved in politics.
A consultative government.
Example: referendums.
According to Lukes, what is Power?
Power is the ability to achieve your own wishes in the face of opposition from others.
According to Max Weber, what are the three different types of authority?
Charismatic authority
Traditional authority
Legal-rational authority
What is charismatic authority?
When people consent to be ruled by people with special human qualities, such qualities inspire loyalty and obedience. For example Gandhi.
What is traditional authority?
People accept the power and rule of others because there is a long-standing tradition of things being like that or society venerates age. For example the Queen.
What is legal-rational authority?
(a.k.a elective authority) In modern society authority is made legitimate by the acceptance of an established set of sensible procedures by the majority of the population.
According to Steven Luke, what are the three types of authority?
Decision making (make/implement decisions).
Non-decision making (limiting what decisions can be discussed).
Shaping desires (manipulate decisions).
Who is Rupert Murdoch?
Person who owns most of UKs media.
What is a functionalists model of power?
- Norms and values of society are generally agreed with shared values and consecutive goals.
- The more a society is able to meet collective goals, the more power it has, creating a variable-sum model of power.
- Power is held by society as a whole, a social resource.
What is a Marxists model of power?
- Belief that particular groups for their own benefit, and at the expense of others, hold power in society a zero-sum model.
- The dominant group uses power to further its own interest which conflicts with the rest of society.
- Power lies in the economic infrastructure and is reflected in the legal system.
Identify four factors which affect political participation
Social class
Age
Access to voting/participating
Knowledge
List some of the key rights and responsibilities in a liberal democracy
Right to vote Freedom of speech Right to civil liberties Reside within that state Fair trial Participate in voting Obey the law Pay taxes
Define: democracy
- ‘Rule by the people’ a system whereby the people are given control over politics and the government serves in the interests of the people.
- Abraham Lincoln: of the people, by the people, for the people.
- High degree of political freedoms (inc. right to info/accountability/rule of law/peaceful transfer of power between gov. and next).
Give the quote that John Stuart Mill gave about power
Absolute power corrupts.
What is the importance/benefit of democracy?
- Democracy establishes and protects freedom
- Democracy disperses power
- Democracy protects minorities (through pluralism)
- Democracy controls government power (through accountability)
- Democracy encourages popular participation (opportunity to be informed)
Briefly explain communitarian thinking
Emphasises the connection between the community and the individual, we must to be involved in politics.
Define: Parliamentarian representation
Representatives are expected to strike a balance between their own judgement, stated policies of the party and the interests of their constituents.
Define: Party delegation
The growth of party discipline, MPs are expected to follow the party line.
Define: Partisan dealignment
When people identify less and less with a particular party.
What are the advantages of direct democracy?
- Purest form of democracy
- Important decisions can be strengthened if they receive the direct consent of the people
- Use of referendums can educate the public about political issues
- People can participate more directly •Important constitutional changes can be entrenched
What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?
- Issues may be too complex for the average person to understand
- People may vote in an emotional or irrational way
- The use of too many referendums can result in voter fatigue and low turnout
- People are expected to put their citizenship before their personal life, no time
- Tyranny of the majority, no mediators to decide between different interests of society.
What are the advantages of a representative democracy?
- The elected individuals are usually better educated than the general public, experts
- Speeds up legislation whilst still being well-written - more practical
- High participation is very common with a representative democracy
- Representatives can implement unpopular but necessary policies as they are able to see the bigger picture
- Representatives can be held accountable to ensure democratic outcomes
What are the disadvantages of a representative democracy?
- Tyranny of the majority, many unrepresented
- Elected individuals have a short-term focus as they don’t run for long
- May be difficult to make representatives accountable between elections
- May distort the demands of the people to achieve their own
How can the UK be viewed as democratic?
- There are regular free and fair elections
- Free media, info and freedom of speech
- Many democratic institutions such as devolved assemblies, Parliament and government.
- Parliament makes government accountable for its actions
- Referendums are held for important constitutional issues
- Pluralism
- Freedom equality and rights are protected by foreign laws
- Independent judiciary
How can the UK be viewed as undemocratic?
- Unelected institutions such as the House of Lords
- Elections are arguably not fair because of the first past the post system
- Governments are elected on a minority of the national vote
- No entrenched constitution
- Parliamentary sovereignty means rights are not protected completely
- Arguably political participation is declining and political disengagement is increasing.
Arguments for the increased use of referendums
- Would increase political awareness/education, more political activity between elections
- Purer form of democracy, most direct and legitimate
- Entrenches constitutional changes so no attacks can be made
- Consensual politics, prevents gov from making unpopular decision and gives legitimacy, eg. Good Friday agreement
- Can solve internal government conflicts
- Issues may not be so complex as we now have greater access to information.
Define: Government
The process of organising the state and giving it political direction.
Arguments against the increased use of referendums
- May result in voter fatigue and low turnouts which questions legitimacy
- Issues may be too complex to understand (eg. EU links) or impractical, research sometimes cannot distinguish opinion from facts
- Voters may be influenced by emotions (eg. AV vote resulted from libdem supporters dissatisfaction of coalition) and irrational influence (media)
- Tyranny of the majority
- Other ways for better democracy eg lower voting age/compulsory voting
- Undermines respect/authority of Parliament and MPs
Arguments for decentralising the political system
- Local and regional government or smaller scale and seen as more democratic
- Government would be closer to the people
- Strengthen local communities
- The growing power of central government would be avoided
Arguments against decentralising the political system
- More powerful local and regional government would mean more variable state provision
- Citizens might take local and regional government less seriously resulting in low voting turnout
- Tensions between central and decentralised government might increase
Give 6 methods of improving UK democracy
- Replacing the monarchy with an elected head of state
- Introducing an elected second chamber, HOL
- Reforming the electoral system (PR?) weakening the power of executive
- Codified constitution safeguards rights such as HR, government currently can override this/Supreme bill of rights
- Compulsory voting/lower voting age to overcome lower turnout rates.
- Reform of HOC to make it more representative?
Define: Pluralism
A political system where a wide range of beliefs, ideologies and ideas are tolerated and allowed to flourish.
It also implies a system where power is widely dispersed and not concentrated in a few hands.
Define: Liberal democracy
A democracy where everyone has the opportunity to participate, as freedom/key rights are high on its scale of values. Mainly associated with modern established western democracies.
Eg: Free and fair elections, limited gov, accountability, rule of law, separation of powers
List the features of a constitutional democracy
- Protects the individual
- Divides sovereignty
- Proportional election
- Usually coalition government •Fragmented governments
- Usually have a codified constitution
List the features of a majoritarian democracy
- Protects society
- Parliamentary sovereignty
- Majoritarian elections (FPTP)
- Usually single party rule
- Centralised or stable governments •Usually have an uncodified constitution
What are the two main types of liberal democracy?
- Constitutional democracy- where the government operates within clear constitutional guidelines.
- Majoritarian democracy- where majority interests are favoured over minority.
Identify forms of political participation
Ways in which citizens cab become involved in the political process:
Voting in elections/referendums petitions/online forums pressure groups Protests Joining a political party Elected into office
Define: Democratic deficit
A term used to describe a fear that democracy is being undermined/weakened in ways such as: political participation, undemocratic institutions within the government system and the increased centralisation of power which is insufficiently accountable within government.
Give three features of direct democracy in terms of popular participation
- Popular participation is direct
- Popular participation is unmediated
- Popular participation is continuous
Give three features of representative democracy in terms of popular participation
- Popular participation is indirect
- Popular participation is mediated
- Popular participation is limited
When was the vote extended to females?
- The suffragettes.
When was the vote lowered to the age of 18?
1968.
Who in the UK cannot vote (universal suffrage?)
The homeless, the Lords and mentally ill.
Define: Voter apathy
When people become disinterested in voting or politics.
Arguments for compulsory voting
- People will be more inclined to become politically aware in order to vote
- Greater legitimacy as more people are voting
- Greater turnout rates
Arguments against compulsory voting
- Votes may not be genuine as people are being forced (wasted votes)
- Violation of individual freedom
- Parties may change strategies by developing policies to fit marginal votes
Arguments for digital democracy
- Universal suffrage, no limit on who can be involved
- Easier access
- Easy to organise
Arguments against digital democracy
- Electoral malpractice
- Cannot be policed or checked properly
- Disadvantage for those without Internet access.
Arguments for lowering voting age
- Laws are not bias
- Educated youths can compensate for uneducated adults
- Can strengthen youth interest/legitimacy - universal suffrage
- Allowed other citizenships at this age (age of consent, right to marry, etc)
Arguments against lowering voting age
- ‘Immature’ voters
- Forcing children to accept adult responsibilities
- Easy to politically influence.
To what extent has political participation declined in the UK?
•Membership of political parties has fallen - 2million people in 1980s to 600,000 in 2008. Growing disillusion with political parties?
•Parties find it harder to recruit candidates at local level in elections.
•Decrease in voter turnout rates, 2001 - 75% and 2005 - 60%
•Partisan dealignment.
—
•Rise in pressure group membership/activity.
•Rise in new social movements
•Government involves more people in policy making process.
•Petitions/public consultations.
•Now more elections than before, if combined it can be argued participation has not decreased.
To what extent is the UK experiencing a democratic deficit?
•Low turnout at elections undermines democratic legitimacy (no real mandate).
•Undemocratic institutions (HOL/monarch).
•Problems with FPTP.
——
•Active media holds gov. accountable (reveals scandals).
•No major demand for electoral reform (2011 referendum-No).
•Low turnouts may be due to contentment in politics.
•Pressure groups.
How can democratic legitimacy be achieved?
Via success in elections
Use of referendums
Majority vote in legislature
How can representative democracy be improved?
- Reform of House of Lords and House of Commons
- Digital democracy - modernising
- Lowering voting age
- Compulsory voting
- Strengthen minority representation
How can Britain be considered as a liberal democracy?
Government is accountable to the people.
Free and fair elections.
Peaceful/orderly transfer of power from one gov to the next.
F.O.I
Limited government, separation of powers to some extent
Pluralist democracy
Rule of law
Define: citizenship
The idea that members of a political community have certain rights with respect to political institutions. Implies a certain level of obligation (eg. Must pay taxes).
Granted through: parentage, being born in the country or being neutralised after long residency.
Define: Digital democracy
A term used to describe various methods by which political opinion and demands are expressed through the use of Internet.
Define: Referendum
A popular single-issue vote where people are asked to determine an important political or constitutional issue directly. The result could be advisory or mandatory.
To what extent do referendums undermine parliamentary sovereignty?
~If mandatory it binds on government, shows that sovereignty lies with the people.
~Can act as a form of entrenchment.
~Referendums give the impression that parliament isn’t functioning well.
—
~Parliament can control wording or time, affects the result.
~Advisory referendums can be ignored.
Why are referendums used?
- To approve important constitutional changes, eg. Good Friday agreement 1998.
- To help the government resolve an internal conflict, eg. 1975 referendum on whether Britain should stay in EEC as (Harold Wilson) labour cabinet was split (16 stay, 7 leave).
- To entrench constitutional changes, eg. Devolution
- To allow voters a direct say in how they’re governed, eg. 1998 should London have an elected mayor.
Distinct between a direct and representative democracy
- Direct is a purer form, eg referendums which carries more legitimacy than decisions made solely by Parliament.
- Direct tends to operate more with constitutional change whereas representative is used more for the day-to-day running of the country.
- Direct represents more the views of the majority whereas representative weighs up the different interests of society.
- Direct means people cannot be accountable to themselves, whereas representative is accountable to the people.
Define: Parliamentary democracy
Democratic form of government in which the party (or a coalition of parties) with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor.
Why have levels of political participation fallen?
Voter apathy
Partisan dealignment
Problems with FPTP
Shift in power to the EU
