Democracy And Participation

Question 1

Importance of democracy: establishing and protecting freedoms

Answer 1

1) establishes and protects freedoms

French Revolution of 1789 attempted to free people from the autocratic monarchy as they only took into account themselves and the aristocracy ignoring demands of the middle and working classes.

Question 2

Importance of democracy: protects minorities

Answer 2

Takes into account the interest and demands of ALL people and ensures that all groups have access to the political process.

Question 3

Importance of democracy: controls government power

Answer 3

• “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Lord Acton
• if those who govern us are left to their own devices without being held accountable there is always the danger that they will simply claim increasing amounts of power and begin to abuse their position. Democracy makes the government accountable to the people during election time.

Question 4

Importance of democracy: encourages popular participation

Answer 4

• free and fair elections prevents tyranny. In a free democracy people have to opportunity to becomes informed and be directly involved in influencing decision making.

Question 5

Representative democracy

Answer 5

A form of democracy in which the citizens rule through representatives they elect in periodic elections.

Key Features
- Citizens select representatives to take decisions on their behalf
- All adult citizens have the right to vote for representatives
- Citizens delegate their authority to their representatives
- Elections are free and fair

The basic condition for representative democracy is the existence of democratic elections. UK elections are based on:
Universal adult suffrage.
One person, one vote.
The secret ballot.
Competition between candidates and parties.

Question 6

Advantages of direct democracy

Answer 6

• Gives equal weight to all votes, unlike a representative system where the varying sizes of constituencies mean that votes do not all have equal value.
• Encourages popular participation in politics by expecting people to their duties as citizens seriously.
• Removes the need for trusted representatives as people take responsibility for their own decisions
• Encourages genuine debate and a sense of community

Question 7

Disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 7

• impractical
• many people will not want to nor feel qualified to take part in decision-making.
• will of the majority is not mediated by parliamentary institutions, so minority viewpoints are disregarded.
• open to manipulation by the cleverest/ more articulate speakers who will persuade people to support their views.

Question 8

Advantages of representative democracy

Answer 8

• Only practical political arrangement in a large modern state.
• Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden.
• Elections allow representatives to be held to account.
• Politicians (in theory) are better informed.
• By forming parties, there is coherence and a real choice is offered – encourages pluralist democracy
  a type of democracy in which a gvt makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups.

Question 9

Disadvantages of representative democracy

Answer 9

• May lead to reduced participation.
• Elitism may prevail - not truly representative.
• Minorities may still be underrepresented as the view of the majority is often followed in order to secure elections.
• In the UK politicians are only held to account every 5 years – lack of accountability but Recall Of MPs Act 2015v allows an MP to be held to account – a petition can be triggered by local constituents if10% of eligible voters sign it where an MP has been sentenced/imprisoned/suspended for more than 21 days.
• Open to corruption.

Question 10

Recall of MPs act 2015

Answer 10

Recall Of MPs Act 2015 allows an MP to be held to account – a petition can be triggered by local constituents if10% of eligible voters sign it where an MP has been sentenced/imprisoned/suspended for more than 21 days.

Question 11

The UK’s democracy

Answer 11

• Liberal and parliamentary democracy
  It attempts to combine the ‘liberal’ goal of limited government with a democratic commitment to elections and popular participation.

Question 12

Core features of a liberal democracy

Answer 12

• Free, fair and regular elections that respect universal suffrage

Competition for power between:
- a number of candidates and a number of parties

• Guaranteed civil liberties and individual rights
• Constitutional government based on formal, usually legal rules
• A healthy civil society, in which the media is free and enjoys independence from government
• A capitalist economy

Question 13

The UK is a parliamentary democracy

Answer 13

Core Features of a Parliamentary Democracy:

Parlia is the source of all political authority (the right to influence to the behaviour of others, based on an acknowledged duty to obey)

Gvt is drawn from parlia therefore are directly accountable to them and thus the people – gvt has a mandate to govern

All people are represented by an MP

Question 14

Positive democratic features: free media

Answer 14

• challenges government policy and exposes misdeeds e.g. expenses scandal/ money for peerages

Question 15

Positive democratic features: Independent judiciary

Answer 15

• upholds the rule of law (all must follow the law including those who create and enforce and must be held to account if they don’t) plus the HRA

Question 16

Positive democratic features: Devolved governments

Answer 16

• power has been moved away from Westminster and closer to the people and now decisions are made close to those who are affected = good for representation

Question 17

Free and fair elections

Answer 17

• largely free of corruption and intimidation overseen by the independent Electoral commission - opportunities to vote in referendums

Question 18

Positive democratic features: Wide range of political parties and pressure groups

Answer 18

• pluralistic, wide range of representation available and interplay of various ideas and competition arguments = good for representation

Question 19

The case for reform of the UK democratic system:

Answer 19

• control of sections of the media by the wealth and unaccountable + media bias
• lack of protection for citizens rights
• under representation of viewpoints due to the voting system
• House of Lords lacks democratic legitimacy

Question 20

The case for reform of the UK democratic system: Control of sections of the media by the wealthy and unaccountable + media bias

Answer 20

Media represent the views of their owners and are not accountable for their actions (Murdoch group owning several newspapers eg Time, Sunday Times and Sun)

Question 21

The case for reform of the UK democratic system: Lack of protection for citizens rights

Answer 21

UK signed up to the ECHR and incorporated it into law via the Human Rights Act of 1998 however due to parlia sov (can make or unmake any law they wish, no gvt can be bound by its successor) the Act can be repealed thus provides inadequate guarantees plus gvt can and have derogated from articles of the HRA eg Terrorism Act.

Question 22

The case for reform of the UK democratic system: Underrepresentation of viewpoints due to the voting system

Answer 22

HOC use FPTP which produces a mismatch of votes cast and seats won, many votes are wasted, size of constituencies mean votes are of unequal value this all results in apathy. Questions over gvt legitimacy when there are low levels of support and only 36.6% of voters voted for the Cons in 2015

Question 23

The case for reform of the UK democratic system: House of Lords lacks democratic legitimacy

Answer 23

Legitimacy = legal right to exercise power. HOL is the unusual in a democracy as it is wholly unelected and attempts to reform have completed failed – most have been appointed by PM, some other party leaders and other Crossbenchers by the HOL independent commission since 2000, others are hereditary or Lord Spirituals (bishops) therefore HOL is not elected nor accountable.

Question 24

Why are we in a participation crisis?

Answer 24

• alienation with system
• parties too similar
• vote doesn’t count
• scepticism/political scandal
• uniformed, uneducated – not pushed
• rather join a PG or maybe everyone is content
• Apathy = lack of interest or awareness
• Hapthty = general contentment (happiness and apathy)

Dependent on the circumstances, perhaps people where hapathetic in 2001/2005 general elections as the economy as doing well etc. Turnout for the Scotland Ind ref was really high at 84.6% or UK indep ref of 72.2% both critical issues

Question 25

Dependent on the circumstances, perhaps people where hapathetic in ….. general elections as the ….. was doing well etc.

Answer 25

2001-2005

Economy

Question 26

Turnout for the Scotland Ind ref was really high at ….

Answer 26

84.6%

Question 27

UK indep ref turnout

Answer 27

72.2%

Question 28

A participation crisis: declining voter turnout

Answer 28

Turnout (% of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election) is one of the most obvious measures of participation.

Falling turnout means that the gvt is elected on a reduced share of the popular vote, thus calling into question the strength of a gvt’s mandate (legitimate right to govern).

1945 – 1997 average of 76%, slowly declining since then though modest recovery over the last 2 general elections (2001 = 59%, 2005 = 61%, 2015 = 66%, 2017 = 69%).

Turnout is generally even lower in ‘second order’ election such as those for devolved assemblies, local elections etc.

Question 29

GE Turnout:
1945 – 1997 average of …..

Answer 29

76%

Question 30

GE turnout:
2001

Answer 30

59%

Question 31

GE turnout:

2017

Answer 31

69%

Question 32

A participation crisis: declining party membership

Answer 32

Another indication of participation.

Only 1.6% of the electorate belong to one of the 3 major parties – in 1983 this was 3.8%

Tories = just under 150,000 down from 400,000 in the mid 1990s

Labour = massive surge under Corbyn with circa 515,000 in July 2016 compared to 190,000 in 1997

Lib Dems = 70,000 in early 2000s falling to 49,000 during coalition but resurgence to 76,000 by 2016 election

However…a recent trend has seen an increase in membership to minor parties with 120,000 to SNP up from 25,000 in 2013, 55,000 to Greens up from 13,800 in 2013 and 39,000 to UKIP (up from 32,4000).

Question 33

Surge in labour membership under Jeremy Corbyn saw memberships rise to ….. in July 2016 compare to ….. in 1997

Answer 33

July 2016 - 515,000

1997 - 190,000

Question 34

Tory membership has decreased to ….. in 2022 from ….. in the mid 1990’s

Answer 34

170,000 in 2022

400,000 in mid 1990’s

Question 35

a recent trend has seen an increase in membership to minor parties with….. to SNP up from …. in 2013, …. to Greens up from …. in 2013 and 39,000 to UKIP (up from 32,4000).

Answer 35

120,000 up from 25,000 in 2013 SNP

55,000 up from 13,800 in 2013

Question 36

A participation crisis: Increasing membership to pressure groups

Answer 36

Group which seeks to influence the content of gvt decision without seeking power (see later) RSPB have over 1m members! Unison have 1.3m.

Question 37

A participation crisis: Increased use of direct action

Answer 37

Methods often used by pressure groups to influence policy by demonstrating for example against student tuition fees or the War on Iraq.

Has become a recognised new method as people feel they have an impact instead of traditional methods like voting.

Question 38

A participation crisis: Engage in politics online

Answer 38

• Last decade with emergence of social media has enabled people to exchange views and participate in online campaigns
• An example of e-democracy are the use of E-petitions which can influence legislation.
• To be considered an e-petition needs to receive over 100,000 signatures – it then goes to the HOC backbench committee who decide whether it will be debated on the floor eg EU Referendum rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum with 4,150,260, The topic was debated on 5 September 2016 before the Government confirmed it would not be pursuing a second referendum.

Question 39

E petition example

Answer 39

EU Referendum rules triggering a 2nd EU Referendum with 4,150,260, The topic was debated on 5 September 2016 before the Government confirmed it would not be pursuing a second referendum.

Question 40

Should voting be compulsory? YES

Answer 40

• voting is a social duty and a right
• it would produce a parliament that is more representative of the whole population.
• politicians would have to run better quality campaigns and focus on the electorate as a whole.
• voters are not obliged to vote for any one person; it would still be legal to ‘spoil’ one’s ballot
• Increased turnout = increased legitimacy

Question 41

Should voting be compulsory? NO

Answer 41

• it is undemocratic to force people to take part in something that should be a matter of choice.
• it does not address the underlying deeper reasons as to why people do not vote.
• it wouldn’t stop politicians focusing on marginal seats and continue to neglect safe seats.
• encourages “donkey voting”

Question 42

Magna Carta

Answer 42

1215

Question 43

Representation of the People Act (3 dates)

Answer 43

1918, 1928, 1969

Question 44

Progress on women’s rights and gender equality:

1918

Answer 44

Women over 30 with certain property qualifications had the right to vote in Britain.

Question 45

Progress on women’s rights and gender equality:

1928

Answer 45

Women are given universal suffrage on the same terms as men

Question 46

Progress on women’s rights and gender equality:

1979

Answer 46

Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first female prime minister

Question 47

Progress on women’s rights and gender equality:

2017

Answer 47

30% of MPs are women.

Question 48

Who can’t vote?

Answer 48

• people under 18

-EU citizens although the can vote in local elections

-Members of the HoL

-Prisoners

-Those who have been compulsorily detained in a
psychiatric hospital

• Those convicted of a corrupt or illegal electoral practice, who are barred for 5 years

Question 49

Should 16 year olds be able to vote? YES

Answer 49

• have other legal rights - to leave school, start work, join the armed forces, have sex, get medical treatment

-if they could vote more would take part in politics - 3/4 voted in the Scottish referendum

• having a vote would give them a say on issues that mean a lot to the, e.g. university tuition fees. They’d make sure political parties think about their futures when they shape their policies too.

Question 50

Should 16 year olds be able to vote? NO

Answer 50

• young people lack the necessary life experience and maturity to vote. Relatively few take part in the Youth Parliament or in similar enterprises. Many would have their views determined by their parents or other adults.
• some rights are limited in practice e.g. 16 year olds cant marry or get drunk
• Scottish referendum attracted unusually high levels of participation for all age groups, so is not a fair test. Levels of participation in the UK elections are lowest for the 18-24 age group, so why would 16-17 year olds be likely to set a new trend.

Question 51

Section (interest) groups

Answer 51

• These groups represent the common interests of a particular section of society.
• Membership is often closed/restricted/exclusive
• Members of the group often stand to gain personally from the success of their campaigns - groups primarily seek to promote the economic interests of their members. They are self-interested.
• Examples - National Farmers Union (NFU), The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Royal College of Surgeons, The Law Society.

Question 52

Examples of interest groups

Answer 52

National Farmers Union (NFU),

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI),

Royal College of Surgeons,

The Law Society.

Question 53

Causal (promotional) groups

Answer 53

• The group exists to promote an idea not directly related to the personal benefit of its members.
• They are focused on achieving a goal or drawing attention to a particular issue.
• Tend to have an open membership – seeking to gain a critical mass of popular support and campaigning strength.

Examples - Age Concern, LIBERTY, Greenpeace, RSPB.

Question 54

Examples of causal groups

Answer 54

Age Concern,

LIBERTY,

Greenpeace,

RSPB

Question 55

Social movements

Answer 55

Can bring together multiple pressure groups in order to achieve a single objective.

People may belong to a pressure group or may simply participate in a specific protest.

Examples – Camps of Climate Action (protest Heathrow expansion and coal-fired stations in Yorkshire), Stop the War Coalition (against the War in Iraq) and Make Poverty History Campaign.

Main common characteristics:
Appear rapidly
Mass movement with many thousands of followers
Narrow focus
Often temporary
Methods are striking or flamboyant
Loose, informal organisations

Question 56

Insider groups

Answer 56

Regarded as politically legitimate by government.

Groups on the inside of the political process, who have direct access to ministers and civil servants.

They are allowed to participate regularly in the formal consultation process and, more importantly, the informal policy process.

They might provide policy advice, have permanent seats on gvt committees (NFU).

They have policy credibility – they are recognised by the government as being representative of interests or issues and tend to have objectives broadly inline with the views of the gvt.

Normally content to operate within the “rules of the game”.
Mostly sectional, but some causal groups, have insider status.

Examples include the Howard League for Penal Reform, NFU and CBI.

Question 57

Insider group examples

Answer 57

the Howard League for Penal Reform,

NFU

CBI

Question 58

Outsider groups

Answer 58

Groups on the outside of the political process, with no direct access to ministers and civil servants.

Largely excluded from political consultation/contact.

Outsider groups may not pursue goals which are compatible with the governing party (TU and Tories). Some groups flip-flop when the electoral pendulum swings.

Or they may reject cooperation with ministers and civil servants for fear of having their goals compromised by the ‘establishment’ for example Greenpeace seek to preserve their independence or the Occupy movement which fights against the global capitalist movement.

Alternatively they may lack the financial resources to pursue an insider strategy.

Likely to be causal but not exclusively so.

There is a heavy reliance on capturing the public mood/opinion in support of their cause to achieve any degree of real political influence.

Examples include the ALF and CND.

Question 59

Outsider groups examples

Answer 59

ALF

CND

Question 60

8 functions of pressure groups

Answer 60

Keeping politicians in touch with public opinion between elections.

Providing information and advice to decision-makers – involvement in all stages of the policy process helps inform gvt, improving legislation and implementation.

Educating citizens about matters of public policy.

Encouraging political participation – especially with declining participating in traditional politics.

Providing alternative viewpoints (pluralism) – provides for peaceful discussion.

Providing the checks and balances needed in a liberal democracy.

Protection for minorities and other vulnerable groups.

Important role in implementing changes to public policy.

Question 61

PG methods: influencing ministers and civil servants

Answer 61

Ministers and civil servants are involved at all stages in the formation of government policy and the making of legislation.

Ministers and civil servants will consult with insider groups for three reasons.

Consultation is regarded as an accepted and important part of the democratic process – offering views on draft legislation.

Pressure groups can be a useful source of expertise e.g. the NFU

Policy implementation

Evaluation of strategy
The classic insider strategy – the most effective strategy since it is ministers and civil servants who are responsible for formulation and implementation of policy.

However:
Not an option for those groups pursuing goals which are not compatible with the governing party.

An insider strategy can be constraining – e.g. acceptance of the final decision and selling the end result to the membership (many talk of the real danger of pressure groups being ‘captured’ by government as soon as they attain insider status).

Question 62

PG methods: Influencing parliament/ parties

Answer 62

Both Houses of Parliament are targeted by groups seeking to influence legislation typically by Lobbyist.

MPs who win a high place in the ballot for PMB’s are likely to be approached by pressure groups.

Cheryl Gillan’s autism bill (2009) was sponsored by the National Autistic Society.

Alex Cunningham Smoke Free (Private Vehicles) Regulations Act 2015 was supported by the British Lung Foundation and ASH

Pressure groups may also give evidence to parliamentary select committees

Jamie Oliver gave evidence before the Health SC regarding the benefits of a sugar tax.

Evaluation of strategy
Executive dominance of Parliament means that groups are unlikely to achieve their objectives unless the government is supportive (especially when there is a large majority).

However, the greater numbers of independently minded backbenchers and the more assertive nature of the partially reformed House of Lords, makes this a more popular channel for exerting influence.

E.g. the success of the Keep Sunday Special Campaign (2016) who targeted MPs before the vote and won to keep max of 6 trading hours.

Question 63

PG methods: Using the courts

Answer 63

Pressure groups can apply for judicial review (a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body; a challenge to the way in which a decision has been made, rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached).

The role of the law courts has increased in recent years as a result of the passing of the Human Rights Act (1998).

Gini Miller with the Peoples Challenge Group challenged and won their case against the Gvt re the PM’s royal prerogative power to trigger Article 50 without a vote in Parliament.

Evaluation of strategy
Groups cannot challenge the merits of government legislation.
Governments can always circumvent court decisions by passing fresh legislation.

Question 64

PG methods

Question 65

PG methods

Question 66

PG methods

Question 67

Protective perspective on democracy

Answer 67

Protective perspective focuses on the working of democracy as a protection for individual freedom and doesn’t expect large-scale citizen participation in politics but rather just enough to grant the system legitimacy.

Question 68

Developmental perspective of democracy

Answer 68

Believes that for democracy to be successful, citizens need to engage on an active basis.

Greater citizen engagement would achieve a more open and engaging political system, but also a more equal society that affords gender and class inequalities in access to politics.

Question 69

Direct vs representative

Answer 69

Direct democracy acts through tyranny of the majority

Representative democracy means minorities views don’t go completely unheard