Democracy

Question 1

Define Democracy - Etymology?

Answer 1

Comes from Demos (people) and Kratos (power). Means ruled by the people.

Question 2

What are the key principles of democracy?

Answer 2

Decisions are made by the people and Everyone has free and equal opportunity to influence political decisions.

Question 3

Why as Ancient Greece form of direct democracy not democratic by today’s standards?

Answer 3

Not everyone could vote. Slaves and women were not allowed to vote.

Question 4

What is direct democracy?

Answer 4

Direct democracy is unmediated, the people make decisions directly without electing representatives. Direct democracy is continuous, all decisions must be made by the people.

Question 5

Disadvantages of Direct Democracy

Answer 5

Direct democracy takes more time and effort than many people in modern society are willing to devote, as they have jobs. Populations are now also far too big to facilitate open communication between every citizen in one place.

Question 6

What are the benefits of direct democracy?

Answer 6

• it is pure democracy
• improves political education
• removes dependence on politicians
• legitimises political decisions

Question 7

How is direct democracy used in modern times to supplement representative democracy?

Answer 7

Referendums are the biggest example of direct democracy in modern politics.

Question 8

What is representative democracy?

Answer 8

Representative democracy is a form of democracy that is

• Indirect; as they elect officials to act on their behalf
• Mediated; as the people are linked to government
• Limited; as action is restricted to voting every few years

Question 8

What are the benefits of Representative democracy?

Answer 8

• It is practicable, as direct democracy does not work on large scale.
• Government by experts
• Allows ordinary citizens to focus on things other than politics
• Gives political stability by distancing citizens from politics. Apathy is useful.

Question 9

What are the Core Features of the UK’s Democratic System?

Answer 9

Democratic Elections, Parliament and Pressure Groups.

Question 10

What are the Supplementary Features of the UK Democratic System?

Answer 10

Referendums, Devolution and The EU Parliament.

Question 11

What makes an election democratic?

Answer 11

• Free, fair and regular elections
• Universal Suffrage
• Party Competition to give voters choice

Question 12

What makes elections ‘free and fair’?

Answer 12

• The secret ballot
• ‘One person, One vote’
• Proportional representation
• The Electoral Commission

Question 13

What may be seen as challenging the ‘free and fair’-ness of the electoral process of the UK ?

Answer 13

• Unelected bodies like the House of Lords

- First Past the Post (Wasted Votes and lack of Proportionality)

Question 14

Why does the UK not strictly have universal suffrage?

Answer 14

The homeless, mentally ill, convicts and members of the House of Lords cannot vote.

Question 15

Evidence in the UK that there is electoral choice and competition?

Answer 15

• Recent victory of SNP over Labour in Scotland
• Emergence in popularity of Greens and UKIP
• Anyone can start a party, given the support.

Question 16

Evidence that there is not electoral choice and competition in the UK?

Answer 16

• Two Party System
• FPTP stops smaller parties getting traction
• ‘Consensus Politics’ means any choice from major parties will give the same result.

Question 17

What is parliamentary democracy?

Answer 17

A form of democracy that operates through a popularly elected deliberative assembly which establishes a link between government and the governed.

Question 18

Why has Parliament been questioned in its ole in promoting democracy?

Answer 18

The House of Lords, The Party System and The level of executive control due to lack of separation of powers.

Question 19

Why does the House of Lords threaten democracy?

Answer 19

The House of Lords is entirely unelected, which weakens the representative role of parliament.

Question 20

Why does the Party System threaten the integrity of democracy in Parliament?

Answer 20

Party Discipline prevents MPs from using their own judgement in representing their constituents and voting based on their own opinions.

Question 21

Why does Executive Control threaten the integrity of democracy in Parliament?

Answer 21

Due to the lack of separation of powers, the party in the executive also often holds a majority in the House of Commons, so parliament cannot effectively scrutinise the executive.

Question 22

How do pressure groups strengthen democracy in the UK.

Answer 22

• They give a voice to minorities that are ignored usually
• Allows citizens to participate more frequently than voting every 5 years
• Promote pluralism; providing more channels to influence politics for the average person.

Question 23

What is statistical evidence that Pressure Groups are good for political participation?

Answer 23

Electoral turnout is generally falling but pressure group membership has been generally rising since the 60s

Question 24

What are the main criticisms of pressure groups promoting democracy in the UK?

Answer 24

Power without electIon, undermining parliamentary sovereignty, unaccountability and weak internal democracy.

Question 25

Define a Referendum

Answer 25

A referendums is a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. They are often used to decide on major constitutional change like changing the election system.

Question 26

How does devolution improve democracy?

Answer 26

Allowed Scotland NI and Wales to express views about their own 'National' issues through individual assemblies. Widened political channels and improved participation.

Question 27

How has Devolution NOT improved democracy?

Answer 27

Devolved assemblies are far from home rule, and have much less power. Devolution has also done nothing to advance democracy in England.

Question 28

How have EU Parliament Elections not helped democracy?

Answer 28

EU Parliament could be seen to undermine the power of parliamentary sovereignty.

Question 29

List the advantages of Referendums in enhancing democracy

Answer 29

Direct Domcracy, Increasing Political Education, Increased government responsiveness, reduced government power and allows constitutional changes.

Question 30

List the ways Referendums may weaken democracy

Answer 30

Decisions may be ill informed, it undermines parliament, allows governments to be irresponsible, strengthen governments, gives unreliable views.

Question 31

How may referendums make the government more responsive?

Answer 31

They force governments to listen to the public in between elections and allow the public to express their opinion on particular subjects which cannot be done in elections.

Question 32

How may referendums make the government weaker?

Answer 32

Government does not have much control over he outcome of elections because citizens have all of the decision making power.

Question 33

How might referendums encourage political education?

Answer 33

Members of the public have a stronger incentive to learn about the issue in question in order to give an educated vote.

Question 34

How might referendums result in ill-informed decisions?

Answer 34

The general public is not as well informed as politicians and some argue they may not make the decision that is most beneficial.

Question 35

How do referendums allow the government to be irresponsible?

Answer 35

They can pass off any difficult decisions that may make them unpopular onto a referendum so they are absolved of blame if it goes wrong.

Question 36

Why may the views expressed in referendums be unreliable?

Answer 36

They only give a snapshot of the opinions of the public at any one point, so they are unreliable for making long term decisions.

Question 37

What are the arguments for lowering the voting age?

Answer 37

- Encourages stronger political engagement - Many say the cut off age is irrational and arbitrary - Otherwise, youth interests are ignored - Currently youth have 'responsibilities without rights'

Question 38

What does 'Responsibilities without Rights' mean in relation to lowering the voting age?

Answer 38

Youth can join the army, leave home and get married at 16, but they can't vote.

Question 39

What are the arguments against lowering the voting age?

Answer 39

- Immaturity amongst 16-17s - preservation of 'childhood' - undermining turnout, as many young people may not vote.

Question 40

What are the advantages of 'e-democracy'?

Answer 40

Easier participation and organisation, and better access to information.

Question 41

What are the disadvantages of 'e-democracy'?

Answer 41

May be liable to electoral malpractice.

Question 42

What are the advantages of Compulsory Voting?

Answer 42

- Increased participation - Greater legitimacy - Improves sense of civic duty

Question 43

What are the disadvantages of Compulsory Voting?

Answer 43

- Abuse of freedom - Worthless votes - Distorted Political Focus

Question 44

How could compulsory voting lead to distorted political focus?

Answer 44

It may cause politicians to focus on policy that will sway the marginal, previously non voting population, rather than the mass of the electorate.

Question 45

How could compulsory voting lead to worthless votes?

Answer 45

Many previous non-voters may cast a random vote simply to avoid punishment, or because they are resentful about being forced to vote.