Chapter 1 Democracy and Participation Flashcards
(34 cards)
1.1 What is Direct Democracy
A form of democracy that is based on the direct, immediate and continuous participation of citizens in the tasks of government
What are the Advantages of Direct Democracy
Gives equal weight to all votes, unlike a
representative system where the varying sizes of constituencies mean that votes do not all have equal value
Encourages popular participation in politics
by expecting people to take their duties as
citizens seriously
Removes the need for trusted representatives, as people can take responsibility for their own decisions
Develops a sense of community and encourages genuine debate.
What are the Disadvantages of Direct Democracy
Impractical in a large, heavily populated modern state where decision-making is complicated
Many people will not want to, or feel qualified to, take part in decision-making, so political activists decide what happens
Open to manipulation by the cleverest and
most articulate speakers, who will persuade people to support their viewpoint
Will of the majority is not mediated by parliamentary institutions, so minority viewpoints are disregarded
What is Representative Democracy
A limited and indirect form of democracy.
It operates through the ability of representatives to speak for, or act on behalf of, the people.
What are the Advantages of Representative Democracy
The only practical system in a large modern state, where issues are complex and often need rapid response (for example, the deployment of troops)
Politicians form parties, bringing coherence and giving people a real choice of representation
Pressure groups form to represent different interests, promoting debate and encouraging pluralist Democracy
Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by ‘tyranny of the majority’.
Elections allow people to hold representatives to account
Politicians are (in theory) better informed than the average citizen about the many issues on which they must take a view
What are the Disadvantages of Representative democracy
May lead to reduced participation as people
choose to hand responsibility to politicians.
Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites pursuing their own agendas, not truly representing the people
Minorities may still find themselves under- represented as politicians are more likely to follow the views of the majority to secure election
Politicians are skillful in avoiding accountability, especially as general elections are usually 5 years
apart in the UK.
Politicians may be corrupt and incompetent, so may betray election promises or put loyalty to their party before responsibility to the electorate.
Genuine Democracy D vs R
+D Direct democracy is pure as it always ensures that people only have to obey laws that they make themselves
-R Representative democracy always means that there is a gulf between government and the people, leading to voter apathy
e.g ‘audit of political engagement 16: The 2019 report said 47% felt they had no influence at all over decision making
Personal Development D vs R
+D Direct democracy creates better informed and more knowledgeable citizens through directly participating in politics
-R Representative democracy causes people to switch off from politics due to voting taking place so infrequently
e.g 30% said they never discussed politics with others
Legitimate Government D vs R
+D Direct democracy ensures that rule is legitimate in the sense that people are more likely to accept decisions that they have made themselves
-R Representative democracy in the UK is leading to a crisis where there is low voter turnout and disengagement
(FOR) Is direct democracy superior to representative democracy?
+ Direct democracy is genuine democracy with direct. immediate and continuous participation.
+The continuous participation of direct democracy allows for the personal development of citizens.
+ Direct democracy ends the reliance on a political class by returning power to the people to ensure decisions are in the public interest not the interest of the political class.
+ Legitimacy and political stability both
created by the direct involvement of citizens in decision making
(AGAINST) Is direct democracy superior to representative democracy?
- representative democracy is the only practicable form of democracy in modern societies
- representative democracy allows for healthy apathy which helps maintain political stability
- representative democracy allows for government by experts
- representative democracy is built on compromise
What is a participation crisis?
It is the idea that there is a crisis in citizen involvement in the process aimed at influencing government and shaping politics, due to the lack of interest from the citizens
Falling Voter Turnout?
- falling turnout is important because it means that governments are elected on a reduced share of the popular vote
- the strength of their mandate is questioned
- the percentage for 2001 was the lowest since the end of WW1 in 1918
- average turnout in May 2016 local elections in England was 33.8%
Party Membership?
- Only 1.6 percent of the electorate now belongs to one of the three main UK-wide political parties
- 1983 the figure was 3.8 percent
- Conservative Party had just under 150,000 members by 2016 (estimated it dropped from 400,000)
-Election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader has been associated with a remarkable increase in membership, with a total of 515,000 by July 2016
1.3 What are Pressure groups
pressure groups seek to influence the government (or another authority) to adopt their ideas, or not to pursue a policy of which they disapprove
What are sectional groups (or interest groups)?
Give an example?
- seek to promote the interests of an occupation or another group in society
- e.g trade unions represent their members in negotiations with employers over wages and working conditions
What are cause groups/promotional groups?
Give an example?
- focused on achieving a particular goal or bringing light to a particular issue
- greenpeace promotes awareness of environmental concerns and tries to influence the government to adopt ‘green’ causes
What are social movements?
- are usually politically radical and seek to achieve a single objective
What are insider groups?
- tend to have objectives that are relatively in line with the views of the government
What are outside groups?
Give an example?
- Outsider groups are not consulted by the government
- Their objectives may be so far outside the political mainstream
- this causes government to not enter dialogue with them
e.g animal rights protestors who try to intimidate animal testing laboratories into ceasing their work
What methods do Insider groups use?
- Insider groups tend to negotiate quietly behind the scenes, using their private contacts
- E.g Organisations such as the National Farmers Union are able to offer the government the benefit of their specialised knowledge
- In return they gain influence over policy
- Insider groups may also lobby MPs, briefing them on issues of concern or giving evidence to committees
What methods do Outsider groups use?
- Typically resort to less discrete methods to draw attention to their concerns
- Lacking contacts within government, they may try to exercise influence through email campaigns and petitions, or staging demonstrations and publicity stunts
- E.g BLM UK obstructed flights at london city airport in september 2016
Resources + & -
+ A large membership who pay subscriptions means that a group is likely to have the financial resources to run offices
Pay for staff and organise publicity
E.g RSPCA employs about 1600 people supported by thousands of volunteers and has good media coverage
- size of a group is not always effective
- e.g the campaign for Nuclear Disarmament had an estimated 110,000 members in the mid-1980s, but Thatcher government could afford to ignore its large and well-orchestrated demonstrations
Effectiveness of Tactics and Leadership
- Experienced and capable leadership is vital for success
- E.g RSPCA collaborated with the ‘League against cruel sports’ and ‘International fund for Animal welfare’ in securing the ban on hunting with dogs in 2004
- Knowing which ‘access points’ in the Uk political system to target can lead to success
