direct and representative democracy Flashcards
What is representative democracy?
People elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf
What are the advantages of representative democracy?
-professional politicians can make complex decisions and are held to account
-minority views are considered and upheld
-very practical
What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?
-politicians are skilled at swerving accountability
-open to corruption and self-interest
-citizens are disengaged from politics
What is direct democracy?
People make decisions for themselves, there is no government
What are the advantages of direct democracy?
-people can directly make decisions in their interest
-citizens votes are equal
-purest form of democracy
What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?
-citizens can become apathetic if they’re asked to participate too often
-people will vote in their own interests, not societies
-minority voices not heard, resulting in tyranny of majoirty
Why is UK democracy healthy?
-FPTP is used which is simple and speedy
-UK parliament holds gov to account on behalf of electorate
-Citizens are represented by an MP who takes up their concerns
-Rights are incorporated in HRA 1998
-Pressure groups enhance democracy by letting citizens exert influence between elections
-Governments are subject to law via judicial review
Why is UK democracy unhealthy?
-FPTP is disproportionate and leaves minor parties unrepresented
-Parliament can be bad at holding gov to account as it’s dominated by a gov with an overall majority
-HRA isn’t fully entrenched so government can ignore judges ruling
-Wealthy and powerful pressure groups can pursue their own interests that don’t benefit everyone
Why is there a participation crisis?
-Public is disillusioned with the lack of differences between parties causing partisan dealignment
-Party membership fallen since 1980’s making it hard to recruit candidates locally
-rise in anti politics as there is a distrust of politicians and disaffection with democracy, especially amongst young
Why is there increasing participation?
-pressure group membership has increased
-rise in e-petitions on government’s website shows high engagement
-Twitter to engage with MP’s has become popular.
-Jeremy Corbyn’s election in 2017 reinvigorated young people
How can the democratic deficit be solved?
-compulsory voting
-lowering the voting age to 16
-edemocracy can enhance engagement such as use of e-petitions, twitter and e-campaigns
-changes to voting system
-constitutional reform
