Democracy

Question 1

direct democracy

Answer 1

• a political system where the people take part themselves in the running of the country and deciding laws eg referendums, public consultation, focus groups
  
  • leader will be directly elected, mayor of London

Question 2

representative democracy

Answer 2

• a political system where the people elect a representative to take control of decision making

Question 3

popular sovereignty

Answer 3

• the idea that sovereign power is vested in the people and those who are chosen to govern must use the power in conformity with the general will of the people

Question 4

parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 4

• makes parliament the supreme legal authority which can create or end any law.
• generally courts cannot overrule its legislation
• no parliament can pass laws that future parliaments cannot change

Question 5

democratic participation

Answer 5

opportunities for people to become involved in politics, involving voting or work in a party or pressure groups

Question 6

positives of the UK system

Answer 6

• devolved governments
• independent judiciary
• free media
• free and fair elections
• wide range of political parties

Question 7

negatives of the UK system

Answer 7

• under-representation of minority view points as we have first past the post system
• house of lords lack democratic legitimacy
• lack of protections of citizens rights

Question 8

voter turnout and party membership statistics

Answer 8

• average from 1945-19976 was 76%
• recent years has been high 50’s low 60’s
• local elections attract poor turnouts, 33.8% in may 2016
• same with by-elections - 38.2% In stoke on Trent in feb 2017
• tory membership has dropped to 150k , labour increased to 500k under Jeremy corbeyn