1. Democracy [Key Points] Flashcards
Is the UK a representative democracy ?
Yes
- ELECTIONS elections are held every 5 years with FPTP
- RIGHTS established rights and freedoms enshrined in UK law [e.g Human Rights Act 1998]
- POLITICAL PARTIES numerous political parties
- PRESSUE GROUPS pressure groups are seen as integral of the UK
Representative democracy
Strengths
- held to account by elections
- in a modern society, its the only way to translate public opinions to political actions
- professionals have expertise and make complex decisions
- minority views are considered and upheld
Weaknesses
- citizens are disengaged from politics
- politicians are skilled at swerving accountability
- representatives may not act in the best interests of its citizen
- can be unrepresentative and ignore the minorities
Direct Democracy
Strengths
- purest form of democracy (voices are clearly heard)
- avoids delays and deadlock
- people make the decisions for themselves = high legitmacy
- encourages full participation and attention
- based on popular consent / sovereignty
Weaknesses
- Can cause a tyranny of the majority / where minorities are ignored
- people lack expertise and can be easily swayed by short term emotional appeals
- may not work in a bigger state /
- not everyone will participate [e.g 3000 participated out of the 250,000]
- majority view is not always moral or legal
Direct Democracy - individuals have control example
Allowing the individuals to make their own vote, which can be proven to be positive
E.g 2014 IndyRef1, the turnout was 84.6% showing that direct democracy can be impactful on preventing voter fatigue
Direct Democracy - no reliance on selfish politicians
For example, Labour politicians voted in favour of going to the war despite many significant protests in their consitutiencies / Blair still proceeded regardless of the citizens. Showing how direct demo is better that representative demo
For example, 2015 MPs voted to give themselves a pay rise which was met with a negative public reception
Direct democracy - legitimacy example
All the Scottish : referendums (i.e IndyRef1), changing the voting system, establishment of the Parliament
The outcomes of those referendums were accepted by the public and politicians because of their legitimacy
Direct Democracy - political literacy (positive + negative)
Postive
For example, the Scottish independence referendum 2014, the voter turnout was 84.6%, it allowed and encouraged people to educate themselves on the advantages and disadvantages of an independent country
Negative
For example, participation levels in general elections are only around 65%, local council elections around 50% and elections for the European Parliament can be less than 30%
Representative democracy - practicality example
For example, despite Athens having an estimated population for 250,000 ONLY 40,000 male citizens had the right to participate in the democratic process
Representative democracy - expertise
Decisions are made with expertise, something majority of the electorate will not have
For example, Lord Sugar has specific expertise in tv, marketing and businesses industry, Lord Lawrence has extreme knowledge in racial, hate crime and violation against human rights
How healthy is the uk democracy ? Elections
Yes
- free and fair / universal suffrage
- FPTP has simplicity, clear mandate, fats speed and low expense
- use of PR for devolved regions is improvement
No
- but FPTP is disproportionate and leaves minor parties under-represented, leads to wasted votes [e.g 2015, 50% votes cast were wasted]
- turnout is not high but in line with other western democracies [e.g 2017 = 69%]
How healthy is uk democracy ? Representation
Yes
- all citizens are represented by an MP
- LGBTQ representation is positive statistically, number of women in Parliament has increased [e.g Labour having female only elections]
No
- MPs are not required to listen to citizens, often ignored if they hold safe seats
- under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in Parliament : only 32%of parliament is currently women
- unelected HoL able to delay and veto legislation
How healthy is the UK democracy ? Citizens rights
Yes
- extensive rights and freedoms in the HRA 1998, Data Protection 1998, F.O.I 2000, protection of freedoms 2012
No
- hRA 1998 is open to interpretation and can be manipulate and interpreted differently / not fully entrenched + wanted to replaced by British Bill of Rights by T.May
- the F.O.I 2000 can be bypassed if the information can jeopardise or harm the nation (many exemptions)
How healthy is the UK democracy ? Pressure groups
Yes
- supplement democracy by giving a voice to the minorities
- enhances democracy through political diversity
- pressure groups are not influenced by short term goals or political power
No
- not all pressure groups give their members a voice, instead they pursue their own interests and might not benefit the population
- because leaders are not elected, it’s hard to hold them to account or hold the under public scrutiny
How far is the UK in a participation crisis ?
For
- welsh devolution 2011, VT = 36% showing low voter fatigue and a lack of interest in the topic
- N.Ireland devolution 1998 / VT = 50% and YES and NO = 50%
- key events [e.g partygate] cause the public to lack trust and therefore not participate due to their ministers behaviour or actions
- 1/3 of British people believe that MPs use their power for their own personal gain
Against
- 2001 election, VT = 59% and the voter turnout in 2017 election, 69%
- IndyRef1 saw the VT = 84.6%
- 2017, J. Corbyn reinvigorated young people and had a large young people voter turnout
- number of membership and P.G’s have increased
- 2015 surge in Labour Party membership after Ed Milliband made it £3 to join the party
Factors that influence the pressure groups
- Tactics and leadership
- public support
- government attitudes
- size
- resources
