democracy

Question 1

what is representative democracy

Answer 1

people elect representatives

Question 2

what are the advantages of a representative democracy

Answer 2

-professional politicians make complex decisions
-minority views are considered + upheld
-elected politicians are held to account by the people
-the most practical form of democracy

Question 3

what are the disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 3

-citizens are disengaged from politics
-tightly controlled parties result in politics lacking independence
-politicians are skilled at swerving accountability and passing the blame
-politicians are open to corruption + self interest

Question 4

what is direct democracy

Answer 4

people make decisions for themeselves

Question 5

what are the advantages of direct democracy

Answer 5

-everyone in society participates
-people directly make decisions in their interests
-all citizens voices are equal
-it is the purest form of democracy

Question 6

what are the disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 6

-impractical to achieve
-citizens became apathetic
-people will vote in their own interest, not societies
-no minority voices can be heard

Question 7

what are possible ways to improve democracy

Answer 7

-compulsory voting
-lowering the voting age to 16
-edemocracy
-greater use of referendum
-change to the voting system
-constitutional reform

Question 8

what do pressure groups do

Answer 8

exert pressure on the government

Question 9

what do interest groups do

Answer 9

restricted to particular sections of society, aim to look at interest of that particular groups

Question 10

what are promotional/cause groups

Answer 10

membership is open, seeking to gain mass support- benefit wider society

Question 11

what are insider groups

Answer 11

have a special relationship with the government

Question 12

what are outsider groups

Answer 12

largely excluded from political consultations + contact, concentrate on mobilising public opinion

Question 13

what are corporations

Answer 13

large companies which seek to lobby the government to legislate in certain areas

Question 14

what are think tanks

Answer 14

privately funded, non profit organisations that conduct research with a view to changing political policies

Question 15

what are lobbyists

Answer 15

companies who get paid to gain access to government for their clients

Question 16

what are examples of access points

Answer 16

government, parliament, political parties, courts, devolved assemblies, local councils, the media, public opinion, the EU

Question 17

what are insider methods

Answer 17

-try to access key decision makers
-provide specialist information and advice when the government is considering new legislation
-try to target specific members of house of lords/commons

Question 18

what are outsider methods

Answer 18

-mass public campaigns
-publicity stunts
-social media, epetitions, the internet
-use of celebrities
-civil disobedience/illegal activities

Question 19

what are examples of direct action

Answer 19

• marches and demonstrations
  -trade unions going on strike
  -sit ins
• illegal acts

Question 20

what are factors influencing pressure group success

Answer 20

-insider groups consulting with governments
-wealth for campaign purposes
-public support
-social status
-celebrity endorsement
-size

Question 21

what are the strengths of pressure groups

Answer 21

-enable individuals to participate in the political process between elections
-pressure groups reflect the system of pluralist democracy
-counterbalance the tyranny of the majority by lobbying on behalf of minorities
-can bring expert knowledge to the governments attention on an important issue
-keep government on its toes + encourage them to be responsible and democratic
-pressure groups promote debate and educate + inform the electorate

Question 22

what are the weaknesses of pressure groups

Answer 22

-can be divisive + selfish
-very good at stopping things which others feel are needed
-not accountable to the public
-have reduced the power of parliament and undermined its sovereignty by working closely with ministers + civil servants
-make the country difficult to manage and govern. a multitude of pressure groups blocking the government actions

Question 23

How are UK elections positive for democracy

Answer 23

-free and fair
-FPTP has strengths
-PR is an improvement for devolved elections
-Turnout isn’t high but is in line with other Western democracies

Question 24

how are UK elections negative for democracy

Answer 24

-FPTP is disproportionate
-The health of representative democracy has been called into question by general public apathy towards politics

Question 25

how is representation positive in UK democracy

Answer 25

-The parliament represents constituents and holds the governments to account
-All citizens are represented by an MP

Question 26

how is representation negative to UK democracy

Answer 26

-Parliament can be ineffective in holding the government to account
-The house of Lord has the ability to delay laws
-MPs can ignore their constituents concerns because they hold safe seats
-women, ethnic minorities and working class are under represented

Question 27

how are citizens rights positive for UK democracy

Answer 27

-Extensive freedoms and rights are incorporated in the human rights act
-Freedom of information act 2000 requires the government to reveal information

Question 28

how are citizens rights negative for UK democracy

Answer 28

-The human rights act is not fully entrenched
-The human rights act has too many exemptions which governments use to further their own interests

Question 29

how are pressure groups positive for UK democracy

Answer 29

-Pressure groups give a voice to minorities
-Pressure groups ensure political diversity

Question 30

how are pressure groups negative for UK democracy

Answer 30

-wealthy and powerful pressure groups may pursue their own interests
-the leaders of pressure groups aren’t elected, accountable or under public scrutiny

Question 31

what are the positives of limited government to UK democracy

Answer 31

-The constitution is effective at limiting government and adapting to changing circumstances

Question 32

what are negatives of limited government to UK democracy

Answer 32

-that isn’t a codified constitution so power distribution is undefined
-The fusion of executive + legislature creates an over powerful executive

Question 33

what are the positives of an independent judiciary for UK democracy

Answer 33

-The rule of law is protected by judicial independence to protect citizens and limit the government
-all governments are subject to law upheld by judges via judicial review and the human rights

Question 34

what are the negatives of an independent judiciary for UK democracy

Answer 34

-Government has a role in appointing judges

Question 35

what are examples of falling participation

Answer 35

-turnout in general elections has been falling since 1979
-european, local and other elections have seen even lower turnout
-In 2011 only 42% voted in some referenda

Question 36

what are some examples of positive participation

Answer 36

-turnout levels have risen in recent general election
-the Scottish independence referendum saw an engaged population
-some argue the election of Jeremy Corbyn has reinvigorated young people

Question 37

further evidence of a participation crisis

Answer 37

-Party membership has fallen since the 80s
-The public is disillusioned with the lack of core differences between the parties
-voter registration among young people is lower than among other people
-Public trust in politicians has been undermined eg. sexual harassment allegations