Westminster model, Model for democracy?

Question 1

What is democracy in Westminster

Answer 1

The vision of democracy inherent in the Westminster model is limited and elitist, it is a vehicle for giving the political system legitimacy rather than being a vehicle for popular participation.

Question 2

Majoritarian vs consensual

Answer 2

Majoritarian - political power is concentrated at the centre – few constitutional limits on its exercise. Includes- flexible constitution, a unitary state, dominant executive, plurality electoral system.

Consensual – political power is diffused. Rigid constitution, federalism, separation of powers, proportional representation and a multi party system.

Lijphart, placed it on the extreme concentrated and majoritarian end of the state power spectrum. Two party system, single party majority government, executive dominance over parliament, majoritarian electoral system. Weak bicameralism, unitary or centralised government, flexible constitution.

Question 3

Decline of the Westminster model as we know it and proposed by Lijphart

Answer 3

POST 1970s, decline in class voting, greater electoral volatitily, decline in the two party system and the new labour reforms, such as the lords, devolution and the UK supreme court.

Does it even still exist, decline of two party vote, 2010 coalition, 2017 minoirty government.