Chapter 1- Democracy and Participation Flashcards
What is democracy?
Rule by the people or “people’s power”. A system of government where the people either mKe political decisions themselves or have direct influence on them.
What is a Liberal Democracy?
A style of democracy incorporating:
- Free and fair elections with a belief in the importance of certain key rights and responsibilities.
- Extend the right to vote (the franchise) widely among citizens.
- Guarantee freedom for speech and allow the people to assemble and petition for the redress of grievances.
What is direct democracy?
Where the people make the decisions themselves. People are directly consulted when the government makes decisions.
Defining authority
Refers to the right to exercise power. Authority is granted by those over whom power is to be exercised. Parliament enjoys elective authority.
What is legitimacy?
Refers to the degree to which a body or a government can be justified in exercising power.
What is representation?
Instead of making decisions themselves, people elect or appoint representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What is delegation?
Where representatives reflect very accurately the wishes and demands of those who have elected or appointed them.
What is ‘Burkean’ representation?
Implies that representatives are elected or chosen to use their judgement rather than slavishly to follow the wishes of those whom they represent. Eg MP’s
What is party representation?
Where representatives represent a party manifesto or it’s official policies, rather than their own views, except under exceptional or particular circumstances.
What is Political participation?
Refers to ways in which people can become involved in political processes. Either in voting, pressure groups etc.
Referendums
These are held to determine a specific political question. Voters are asked to answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Referendums are not legally binding but effectively force the government to listen to the outcome. Eg the Scottish referendum 2014
Advantages of representative democracy
- representatives haver he time and the expertise to consider political issues rationally.
- people cannot be expected to regularly make important decisions, therefore representatives do it on their behalf.
- representatives are held accountable for their decisions to ensure a democratic outcome.
- representatives can ensure the interests of different sections of society are taken into account.
- reps can make demands of the people more coherent and develop logical political programmes.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
- representative a and parties may distort the demands of the people (eg Blair and the Iraq war.)
- people may fail to respect the decisions made by their representatives.
- representatives do not make themselves accountable between elections.
- people are capable of making decisions for themselves.
Advantages of representative democracy
- representatives haver he time and the expertise to consider political issues rationally.
- people cannot be expected to regularly make important decisions, therefore representatives do it on their behalf.
- representatives are held accountable for their decisions to ensure a democratic outcome.
- representatives can ensure the interests of different sections of society are taken into account.
- reps can make demands of the people more coherent and develop logical political programmes.
Disadvantages of representative democracy
- representative a and parties may distort the demands of the people (eg Blair and the Iraq war.)
- people may fail to respect the decisions made by their representatives.
- representatives do not make themselves accountable between elections.
- people are capable of making decisions for themselves.
