3.1.2.1 Democracy and Participation Flashcards
Democracy
a system of govt where the people have ultimate power.
how does democratic voting work in the UK?
-PM calls general election every 5 years or so.
-we choose a party to vote for based on MANIFESTO.
-party chooses a leader with MANDATE to rule
Features of democracy
-elections
-representation
-legitimacy
-participation
-accountability
-rule of law
smooth transition of power
-civil rights
-education and formation
Types of democracy
Direct and Representative
Direct democracy
people decide on policy initiatives rather than indirectly through reps .i.e. referendums/e-petitions
Representative democracy
people vote for elected reps that make the decisions on the people’s behalf.
The Trustee Model(Burkean reps)
elected reps should make judgements in the best interests of constituents even if unpopular.
Advantages of direct democracy
-promotes political participation
-improves accountability=govt cannot ignore the people
-improves political education=motivates people to be well informed
-legitimacy=decisions have direct authority and mandate from the people.
-‘purer’ form of democracy=allows general public to have a say.
Disadvantages of direct democracy
-lack of political knowledge–}populist outcomes /undermines reps
-not binding to the govt, parliamentary sovereignty prevails
-undermines rights of minority(tyrannical)
-impractical=costly, time, effective govt impossible.
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Advantages of representative democracy
-incorporates balance within govt structure(even public still have say)
-wider rep for majority AND minority
-broader+simpler view of policy making process
-controls to limit tyrannical leaders
-voters choose who their rep is
Disadvantages of representative democracy
-FPTP system leads to wated votes and unrep’d outcomes=’safe seats’ win with less than majority
-elected reps acting in best interests of their party rather than their people.
-discourages participation
-minority voters ignored
-higher reps less attuned to needs of communities.
Suffrage
+(key terms)
suffrage-the right to rule
universal suffrage-open to all, no barriers
enfranchisement- given right to vote
oligarchy-power in the hands of law
Gaining universal suffrage
-evolutionary process from oligarchy
-almost 200 years ago, only 2.7% could vote(wealthy, male property owners, usually members of CofE)
-now 75% have universal suffrage, excluding prisoners, underaged, peers.
Laws which helped increase universal suffrage
-Great Reform Act 1832
-Second Reform Act 1867
The Ballot Act 1872
-Third Reform Act 1884
-Rep of the People Act 1918
-Rep of the People Act 1928
-Rep of the People Act 1969
Elections before 1832
-not secret-}corruption, bribery, fear
-rotten/pocket boroughs: parliamentary seats wit few voters .i.e. 152 seats chosen by less than 100, Old sarum with 7%, industiral rev
