Democracy and Participation

Question 1

Emetology of the word Democracy

Answer 1

Demos - People
Kratia - Power
Democracy - Power of the people

Question 2

What is direct democracy?

Answer 2

When people make political decisions themselves

Question 3

Example of Direct Democracy

Answer 3

Referendums
E-petitons
Lobbying

Question 4

What is representative democracy?

Answer 4

When people vote for representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

Question 5

Example of representative democracy.

Answer 5

General elections
- People vote on elected MPs in the House of Commons

Question 6

What does legitimacy mean?

Answer 6

Legitimacy gives people in power authority to govern with a mandate

Question 7

What does pluralist democracy mean?

Answer 7

When power is spread out among many groups in society.

The existence of parties and pressure groups suggest a pluralist democracy.

Question 8

Advantages of direct democracy.

Answer 8

Purest form of democracy
Encourages participation
Decisions have legitimacy

Question 9

Disadvantages of direct democracy.

Answer 9

People can be uneducated on politics
Minority views can be unrepresented
Expensive
Majority view is not always wise, moral or legal

Question 10

Advantages of representative democracy.

Answer 10

-Encourages a pluralist democracy
-Experts make decisions
-Decision-makers are accountable
-Citizens have a representative whom to raise
concerns

Question 11

Disadvantages of representative democracy.

Answer 11

-Can encourage elitism
-Less participation
-People can only participate periodically
-Less clear that decisions have legitimacy or popular consent

Question 12

1832 Great Reform Act

Answer 12

Extended franchise to middle-class men

Question 13

1867 Second Reform Act

Answer 13

Doubles electorate to 2 million

Question 14

1918 Representation of the People Act

Answer 14

Married, property owning women over 30 can vote

All men over 21 can vote

Question 15

1928 Representation of the People Act

Answer 15

All adults over 21 can vote

Question 16

2016 Scottish Elections Act

Answer 16

16/17 year-olds can vote in Scottish Elections

Question 17

Arguments for extending the electorate to 16/17 year-olds.

Answer 17

-Many policies affect this age group
-Encourages participation in young people
-Young people in Scotland can vote
-At 16 you can pay taxes and join the army

Question 18

Arguments against extending the electorate to 16/17 year-olds.

Answer 18

• 18-24 year olds have the lowest turnout of all voters
• Lack of experience and awareness to make difficult decisions
• Are in full-time educations and don’t have full adult responsibility
• Most are not registered to vote

Question 19

Turnout in 2001 General election

Answer 19

59.4% - Lowest ever in UK history

Question 20

What did Labour say in response to the low turnout of the 2001 general election?

Answer 20

Labour argued that the public was ‘too comfortable’ with the current GOVt, so voting was not necessary. Therefore the electorate perhaps saw this GE as a waste of time