Year 1 - Democracy & Participation

Question 1

Three differences between representative and direct democracy

Answer 1

D - the people make decisions (e.g. through a referendum) instead of through elected or appointed bodies.
D - majoritarian (working on the will of the majority).
R - Citizens pass their authority onto their representatives

Question 2

Importance of one feature of representative democracy today in the UK

Answer 2

Prevents the abuse of power - Representatives are elected by the people who vote for them and are thus responsible for carrying out the wishes of those who elected them.

Question 3

Importance of one feature of direct democracy today in the UK

Answer 3

Encourages participation - Each person can vote and advocate for their interests under the structures of direct democracy.

Question 4

Pluralist democracy?

Answer 4

A form of democracy where governments make decisions as a consequence of the interaction between groups and organisations who have different ideas and contrasting arguments.

Question 5

Two examples of recent referendums within the UK on important constitutional issues

Answer 5

2011 United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum

2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

Question 6

Four main problems in the UK’s democratic system currently.

Answer 6

Minorities are be poorly represented, where the electoral system produces a government that is elected with well under 50% of the votes.
The system depends on the MP being honest and hard-working. Corruption is possible as the abuse of parliamentary expenses scandal showed.
Declining turnout rates in elections and rising levels of voter apathy
Voters have to choose a representative who stands for a whole range of policies, some of which the voter will agree with and some which they do not

Question 7

What is voter turnout and what was in the 2019 general election?

Answer 7

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election
2019 - 67.3%

Question 8

Minority view

Answer 8

A view from a group of people that differ in some way from the majority of the population

Question 9

Disadvantage of the fact that in a direct democracy ‘all citizens’ voices are equal

Answer 9

Impractical in a large, heavily populated state where decision-making is complicated

Question 10

Limited government

Answer 10

The belief that government should operate a minimalist intervention policy where it concerns a person’s individual liberties or the economy

Question 11

Suffrage

Answer 11

the ability and right of someone to vote in an election

Question 12

Liberties

Answer 12

The freedoms that we have under the law

Question 13

Disengaged

Answer 13

A lack of interest among voters in the elections of representative democracies

Question 14

Accountability

Answer 14

The government facing scrutiny by elected representatives within the legislature.

Question 15

Constitution

Answer 15

The fundamental or basic law which establishes the framework of government

Question 16

legitimacy

Answer 16

An authority viewed as legitimate often has the right and justification to exercise power.

Question 17

e-democracy

Answer 17

The use of information and communication technologies to enhance and in some accounts replace representative democracy.