1. Democracy And Participation Flashcards
(72 cards)
1
Q
What is democracy?
A
Where people have real influence over political decisions that will affect them and the government are accountable to the people
2
Q
What is legitimacy?
A
The idea that the government has the right to govern, normally granted through elections implying that is has the consent of the people
3
Q
What are the key features of a democracy?
A
- people have influence over political decision making
- government is accountable to the people
- free and fair elections
- different political beliefs/parties/associations are tolerated
- media is free and independent
- rights of citizens legally guaranteed
- legal limits to government powers (established by constitution and independent judiciary)
4
Q
What is direct democracy?
A
where the people themselves make important political decisions
5
Q
What are the key features of direct democracy (referendums)?
A
- people make decisions directly
- government acts on the instructions of the people
- people make decisions based on single issues
- people must be educated and engaged in the issues and process
- decisions based on majoritarian outcomes
6
Q
What are the advantages of direct democracy?
A
- purest form of democracy
- avoids deadlock/delay in political system
- very legitimate
- decisions made by people can’t be overturned by political leaders
7
Q
What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?
A
- can lead to ‘tyranny of the majority’ (winning majority ignores the minorities interests)
- people easily swayed by short term, emotional appeals/charismatic individuals
- issues are too complex for an ordinary person to understand
- people cannot be held accountable to themselves so could act irresponsibly
8
Q
What are the 4 examples of modern day direct democracy?
A
- referendums
- e petitions
- consultative exercise
- leadership elections
9
Q
What are e petitions?
A
- A petition is a formal written request sent in to Parliament by members of the public calling for some form of action by the Government
- accessed online
- needs 10k signatures to be debated in parliament
10
Q
What is representative democracy?
A
where the people are represented by elected officials/bodies or through representative groups
11
Q
What are the features of representative democracy?
A
- decisions made by elected bodies (parliament)
- relies on regular elections
- different groups = choice for people
- political activity organised in groups
- people vote for a programme of options
- gov must act on best interests of the nation
- gov answers to people (elections)
- public engaged and informed during election campaigns
- process demands little from people in between elections
12
Q
What are the advantages of representative democracy?
A
- representatives have expertise and experience the public don’t have
- representatives are less likely to be swayed by emotional appeals = rational decision making
- elected representatives are accountable and should behave responsibly
13
Q
What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?
A
- elected representatives may be more interested in party politics than in the national interest
- parties may exercise too much control over elected members
- representatives may not represent and reflect the views of their constituency
- uk electoral system is flawed = unrepresentative result
14
Q
What are the similarities between representative and direct democracy?
A
- popular consent is important
- the people have an active role
- decisions of gov derive from the people
- actions of gov = accountable to the people
- public must be informed and engaged in political matters
- processes governed by constitutional laws and rules
15
Q
What are the differences between representative and direct democracy?
A
- direct democracy= people make decisions, decisions made by referendum and people decide on single issues
- representative democracy = elected representatives make decisions, decisions made by government or elected assemblies and people choose between full political programmes at elections
16
Q
What is pluralist democracy?
A
A type of democracy where a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas/contrasting arguments from competing groups/organisations.
17
Q
What is democratic deficit?
A
A flaw in in the democratic process where decisions are made by those who lack legitimacy as they have not been appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability.
18
Q
What are the main problems with uk democracy?
A
- The House of Lords is unelected
- in general elections, fptp, produces unrepresentative outcomes (gov does not need a majority of votes to achieve a majority of seats)
- small parties = under represented, other parties = over represented
- devolution has led to power imbalance
- lack of government accountability between elections
19
Q
What are 3 reform proposals that could be introduced to encourage public participation in the uk?
A
- fairer electoral system
- widening the franchise to 16+ voters
- compulsory voting
20
Q
How are protection of rights and liberties strengthened in the uk?
A
- UK signed up to European convention of human rights (ECHR)
- Supreme Court + judiciary enforce rule of law
21
Q
What is the rule of law?
A
- no one is above the law
- all citizens treated equally under the law
22
Q
How is the protection of rights and liberties weakened in the uk?
A
Parliament is sovereign - can remove/weaken protection of rights
23
Q
How has public participation been weakened in the uk?
A
- election turnouts remain low
- party membership is decreasing
24
Q
What are 2 reform proposals that could improve the distribution of power in the uk?
A
- give devolved governments further powers
- introduce more English devolution
25
How could **Parliament** be **reformed** to make it **more democratic**?
- introduce an **elected second chamber** (hol= unelected)
26
How does **Parliament strengthen uk democracy**?
- The **hoc** can hold the **gov** to **account**
27
How has the **distribution of power** **already** been **improved** in the uk?
- **Devolution** has **spread power** to **national regions**
28
How has the use of **fptp** in **general elections** **weakened uk democracy**?
- **fptp distorts support** for **parties** and produces an **unrepresentative hoc**
29
What is meant by **participation crisis**?
- a **lack** of **engagement** or **participation** by the **public** in **politics**
30
What are the **4 main ways people** can **participate** in **politics** in the uk?
- **voting** in **elections** and **referendums**
- being a **member** of a **political party**
- being a **member** of a **pressure/campaign group**
- being **involved** in **online political campaigns** (eg signing e-petitions)
31
What are **4 pieces of evidence** that the **uk** has a **participation crisis**?
- **election turnout** has **remained low**
- **party membership** has **declined**
- **political apathy** (especially among young people)
- **support** for **2 main parties** has **declined**
32
What are **4 pieces of evidence** that the **uk does not** have a **participation crisis**?
- **several e petitions** have had **high response rates** (eg for a second eu referendum in 2016 (3.8 million))
- **young people more involved** in **pressure groups, social movements, online campaigns**
- **support** for **alternative parties** has **grown**
- **support** for **pressure groups** has **grown**
33
What are some **proposals** that could be **introduced** to **increase voter turnout** and **participation**?
- compulsory voting
- online voting
- weekend voting
- more political education in schools
- extend franchise (to 16/17 year olds)
- reform electoral system
34
**When** was the **Great Reform Act**?
1832
35
In what **3 ways** did the **Great Reform Act extend** the **franchise**?
- **abolition** of **rotten boroughs** (constituencies with very few voters that were able to elect an mp)
- **redistribution** of **seats** (**more representation** for **growing industrial towns and cities**)
- **expanded electorate** (voting to middle-class men owning property above a certain value)
36
Who was the **vote given to** in **1918**?
Married women over 30
37
**When** was the **vote given to all women**?
1928
38
**When** was the **voting age reduced to 18**?
1969
39
What **representation of the people act** took place in **1948**?
**Abolishment of plural voting** - one vote per person
40
What are the **arguments** that **16 and 17 years olds** should be **given the right to vote**?
- **young people** are **better informed** about **politics** than ever before (school, internet, social media)
- could **encourage younger people** to **engage** with **politics**
- if you can **serve in the army, get married, pay tax** you **should be able to vote**
41
What are the **arguments against 16 and 17 year olds** being **given** the **right to vote**?
- **too young** to make **rational judgements**
- **issues** are **too complex** for **young people to understand**
- **turnout** amongst the **young (18-24)** is **much lower** than the rest of society
- **few people** in this **age group pay tax**
42
In what **elections/devolved nations** can **16 and 17 year olds vote**?
**Local** and **devolved elections** in **Scotland** and **Wales**
43
What are the **5 types** of **pressure group**?
- sectional/interest groups
- cause/promotional groups
- social movements
- insider groups
- outsider groups
44
Who do **sectional groups represent**?
A **particular occupation** or **group in society**
45
What is the **focus** of **sectional groups**?
**Promoting** the **interests** of their **members**
46
What are the **membership requirements** for **members** of **sectional groups**?
**Membership** is **limited** to people in a **particular field/group** in **society**
47
What is the **focus** of **cause groups**?
**promoting particular ideas/issues** that **may not be of direct benefit** to **group members**
48
What are the **membership requirements** for **members** of **cause groups**?
Open membership
49
What is a **social movement**?
a **loosely organized effort** by a **large group of people** to **achieve** a **particular goal**
50
What are **insider groups**?
**Pressure groups** that have **close access** to the **government** - may be **regularly consulted** by the **gov**/**dependent** on the **gov** in some way
51
What are the **2 types** of **insider groups**?
- **high profile** - use of media as well as working alongside gov
- **low profile** - rely on discreet behind the scenes contacts rather than seeking publicity
52
What are **outsider groups**?
**Not consulted/influenced** by the **government** and their **objectives may be far outside** of the **political mainstream**
53
What **type** of **pressure group** is the **BMA (British medical association)**?
A **high profile**, **insider** and **sectional** group
54
What do the **BMA (British medical association) do**?
- **Represent** and **support uk doctors** and **medical students**
- **fighting** for the **best terms** and **conditions**
- **campaigning** on the **issues impacting the medical profession**.
55
What **type** of **pressure group** is **extinction rebellion**?
Outsider, social movement
56
What is a **think tank**?
A **research organisation** that focuses on a **specific topic/area** of **social, political or economic policy**.
57
What are the **2 functions** of a **think tank**?
- **research area of expertise/interest**
- use **findings** to seek to **influence government policies**
58
How do **think tanks differ** from **pressure groups**?
- **think tanks don’t engage in direct campaigns** for **changes to policies**
- **think tanks present points through research**
59
What is the **Fabian Society**?
A **centre left think tank** focused on **advancing the principles social democracy**
60
What is the **Adam Smith Institute**?
A **think tank** focused on **promoting neo liberal and free market ideas**
61
What are **lobbyists**?
**Lobbyists are employed by a client** to try to **influence the political process** to the **clients advantage, particularly concerning legislation**
62
What are **Corporations**?
**Major companies/businesses** that can use their power to **influence government policy**
63
What are **5 major milestones** in the **development** of **rights** in the **uk**?
- Magna Carta 1215
- Bill of Rights 1688
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Equality Act 2010
64
When was the **Magna Carta signed**?
**1215**
65
When was the **Bill Of Rights passed** in the uk?
**1688**
66
When was the **Human Rights Act passed** in the uk?
**1998**
67
What did the **Human Rights Act 1998 do**?
- **brought** the **European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)** into **UK law**
- **strengthened** the **protection of rights and liberties**
68
When was the **Freedom of Information Act passed** in the uk?
**2000**
69
What did the **Freedom of Information Act do**?
- **created** a **public "right of access"** to **information held by public authorities**
70
When was the **Equality Act passed** in the uk?
**2010**
71
What did the **Equality Act 2010 do**?
- **brought together various anti-discrimination laws** into **one single act** - **simplifying the law**
- **protects people against discrimination**
72
What is the **modern form** of **direct democracy**?
**Referendums**
