1.1d Case for Democratic Reform Flashcards
Define Democratic Deficit
Democratic Deficit is the belief that democracy is not working as intended and is failing to ensure sufficient accountability and legitimacy.
In the case of the UK, this refers to problems with representative democracy in practice.
Expand Upon Low Voter Turnout
UK election turnout fell after 1997 (although has started rising again).
Election turnout is incredibly low in elections other than general elections, such as European Parliament elections and local elections- 35.6% in the 2014 EU parliament election.
Expand Upon FPTP
FPTP creates a two-party system. Parties with no large, country-wide base find it hard to gain seats.
The two main parties can win less than 40% of the vote but win a majority of seats.
FPTP creates ‘safe’ seats, where one party is almost certain to win. Opposition voters may feel their interests are unrepresented.
In votes with many candidates, the popular vote may split, and a candidate with a low vote may win.
In Belfast South in 2015, the winning candidate had 24.5% of the vote.
Expand Upon Institutions
The House of Lords has a mostly unelected membership. Some peers are hereditary peers, and inherited their title. The house doesn’t share many of the characteristics as the UK public, and costs taxpayers money.
The Supreme Court is another unelected institution with power to challenge laws.
Types of Democratic Reform
Some believe it is time to change the voting system, for example away from First Past the Post to the Alternative Vote system.
Many argue that 16-18-year-olds are citizens that should have parliamentary representation.
Some people want to reform the House of Lords because it is not elected, and so not representative of the people, but has an important say in legislation passed.
