Chapter 1 - 2/7 - Representative democracy

Question 1

What are the 5 levels of representation in the UK?

Answer 1

• Parish and town councils.
• Local (county or district) councils.
• Metropolitan authorities (in big cities).
• Devolved government.
• National government.

Question 2

What are the 6 levels of constituency in the UK?

Answer 2

• Ward or parish.
• Parliamentary.
• City region - represented by assembly members.
• Metropolitan authority - represented by mayors
• Devolved assembly.
• European parliamentary region - represented by MEPs.

Question 3

Why do parties play a central role in representation in the UK?

Answer 3

• They tell us a lot about a representative’s beliefs, unlike in the US.
• The government is formed from the largest party in the Commons.
• Mandate and manifesto.

Question 4

What is a mandate?

Answer 4

The authority of the winning party in an election to carry out its manifesto commitments.

Question 5

What are the 2 strengths of the mandate and manifesto doctrine?

Answer 5

• Everyone knows which policies have a democratic mandate and which ones do not because of the manifesto of the winning party.
• It allows voters to hold governments to account at election times and MPs to scrutinise the government in between elections.

Question 6

What are the 3 weaknesses of the mandate and manifesto doctrine?

Answer 6

• Parties win elections with less than 50% of the popular vote.
• Those who vote for a party do not necessarily support everything in the manifesto.
• It is unclear whether a government can carry out policies not contained in its manifesto.

Question 7

What is the doctor’s mandate?

Answer 7

Once elected, unexpected events will arise. This doctrine suggests that the legitimately elected government has the authority to take whatever action is necessary.

Question 8

Who does the government represent?

Answer 8

The whole nation, not just those sections that voted for it.

Question 9

In what 3 ways are pressure groups representative bodies?

Answer 9

• Have formal memberships and represent them .
• Others may represent a section of society (functional representation).
• Engage in causal representation (beliefs, principles, or demands)