Democracy Flashcards
(34 cards)
Consent
Government is approved by the people, this is demonstrated through free elections (often called democratic legitimacy)
Democratic legitimacy
A government is legitimate through being elected by the people.
Coercive power
Using extreme physical force against opponents or anyone who threatens the security of the state
Political power
Power executed by members of the political community (party leaders). They can issue positive and negative sanctions.
Welfare state
A title given to services that are run by the state and funded through taxes , to which all citizens are entitled (e.g. NHS)
Direct democracy
The people make all the key decisions (referendums)
Representative democracy
The people elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf
Accountability
Those who have been elected must be made responsible for their policies and decisions.
Redress of grievances
Taking up the case of an individual constituent who feels they have suffered an injustice.
Manifesto
Parties published policies and intentions produced during an election.
Decentralisation
Process of spreading power away from central to local government.
Mandate
A party that has been elected to govern has the authority to carry out its manifesto.
Civil society
All the associations including pressure groups, religions, parties, charities to which citizens belong in which they become active.
Limited government
The powers of the government have strict limits which will be enforced by the judiciary.
Democratic deficit
Features of the political system which do not conform to the normal criteria for a true democracy.
Elitism
A society or political system where power and influence are concentrated in the hands of a few people and organisations.
Pluralism
The idea that in a society a wide variety of beliefs, religions can flourish and many parties and associations active, finally that power is widely dispersed.
E-democracy
Democracy that is carried out online in the form of an e-petition and other online campaigns.
Franchise
(essentially the same as suffrage) the right to vote, franchise has been extended over the years to include all adults over 18.
Suffragettes
Campaigners advocating votes for women.
Clickocracy
Increasing practice of taking part in surveys, petitions and political campaigns by registering one’s opinion online.
Influential power
The weakest form of power, for example, newspapers have power but really we mean influence as they cannot enforce any rules.
Authority
The right to exercise power
Traditional authority
The right to govern exists because authority has existed over a long period of time
