Democracy and Participation Flashcards
(43 cards)
1
Q
What is the definition of DEMOCRACY ?
A
All of the citizens are equally entitled to participate in society’s decisions about it’s policies
2
Q
What is the definition of DIRECT DEMOCRACY?
A
A form of democracy in which the citizens themselves, rather than there representatives, make political decisions.
3
Q
What is the definition of REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ?
A
A form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf, held accountable in elections.
4
Q
What is the definition of LEGITIMACY?
A
The right to rule through the consent and agreement of the people.
5
Q
What are the SIMILARITIES between representative and direct democracy?
A
- All people have universal suffrage (allowed to express their opinions)
- Voters still have the duty to educate themselves on policies.
6
Q
What are the DIFFERENCES between representative and direct democracy ?
A
- In direct democracy, voters do not have to as heavily debate on laws and policies.
- In direct democracy, voters do not have to gain political power through elections.
- Representative democracy makes some feel powerless + corruption/boredom with politics is common.
- Representative democracy creates a divide between people and the government.
7
Q
ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY ?
A
- It ensures people have to obey the laws they make themselves ( General Will)
- It makes people feel a direct connection to what is happening in the country.
- It creates better informed and politically engaged citizens.
8
Q
DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY ?
A
- It is practically unworkable in modern political conditions due to the millions of people all with different opinions.
- It doesn’t work for complex and in depth decisions.
- It would mean that politics would become a even bigger part of people’s lives.
9
Q
ADVANTAGES OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ?
A
- It can operate in large, modern societies and it has aspects of Direct Democracy.
- It means ordinary citizens are relieved of the burden of day to day decision making.
- Politicians are more expertise and try to be unbiased for the mass of the people.
10
Q
DISADVANTAGES OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ?
A
- It puts a lot of trust into the politicians who could distort public opinion and put their own spin on things.
- People can easily switch off from politics and not be as involved as they would be.
- It is experiencing a crisis.
11
Q
What is the definition of a PARTICIPATION CRISIS ?
A
A crisis in citizen involvement in the processes aimed at influencing government and policies, undermining the legitimacy of elected institution.
12
Q
How can citizens participate in Politics ?
A
- Take individual actions
- Voting
- Join a Party
- Getting involved in Pressure Group.
13
Q
- FOR a Participation Crisis ( VOTING )
A
- Voter turnout decreased from a 75% average in 1945 -1992 to 59% in 2001.
- There is only a minority engaging in elections which is unrepresentative of society ( 68%: professional workers and managerial roles / 53% : unskilled or not working )
14
Q
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (VOTING)
A
- 58% of people would say they would be willing to vote in a general election if they had a issue.
- In significant referendums, there is a high voter turnout NI 1998- 81% and Scottish Independence - 85%.
15
Q
- FOR a Participation Crisis ( PARTY MEMBERSHIP)
A
- mass membership has declined + strong party loyalties’: Tory’s 1953- 2,806,000 to 180,000 and labour’s 1,005,000 to 485,000 (2019)
16
Q
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (PARTY MEMBERSHIP)
A
- In smaller parties, there has been a rise in party membership (SNP and Green Party )
- The quality of party membership has increased so people are attracted to being able to participate more.
17
Q
- FOR a Participation Crisis (GROUP POLITICS)
A
- The decline of the trade union movement due to the decline of manual jobs such as coal mining (2016: 6.23 m - 1979: 13.2 m ).
18
Q
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (GROUP POLITICS)
A
- The formation of new pressure groups due to things such as the environment.
19
Q
- FOR a Participation Crisis (DIRECT ACTION)
A
- Direct action is seen as a challenge to democracy and traditional forms of participation (anti-war movement and anti- capitalist).
20
Q
- AGAINST a Participation Crisis (DIRECT ACTION)
A
- Movements such as BLM can be organised and are loosely flexible for the right political agenda and attract mass participation
21
Q
FOR a Participation Crisis (INDIVIDUAL ACTION)
A
- Some critics feel individual participation is fleeting rather than sustained and at a very low level of engagement as it needs little effort.
22
Q
AGAINST a Participation Crisis (INDIVIDUAL ACTION)
A
- It allows individual to express themselves and their concerns freely rather than having them moderated by parties.
23
Q
What is a DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT?
A
- A flaw in the democratic process whereby decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy
24
Q
What are the features of DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT ?
A
- Voters are disengaged and not voting.
- Elected representatives are viewed as unaccountable.
- Politicians have struggled to make reforms to increase engaged.
25
What is a REFERENDUM ?
- A vote on a specific issue, such as amending the constitution or a political issue. (1998 Good Friday Agreement)
26
Should there be a increase in Referendums ?
( FOR)
- 55% of the population stated that they want a increase in Referendums
- Large engagement
- Give people vote + greater control of legislation.
27
Should there be a increase in Referendums ?
(AGAINST)
- Suspicion that governments will only call referendums on issues that they are confident of winning.
- May increase voter fatigue.
- Undermines representative democracy.
28
What are Initiatives ?
- It allows people to propose a new law by gathering signatures from the public.
29
Should the UK used Initiatives ?
(FOR)
- Gives the public more direct control over making laws
- Makes the legislature more responsive to issues which are important for the public.
30
Should the UK use Initiatives ?
(AGAINST)
- Removes politicians from making decisions.
- Could cause a scenario where the majority oppress the rights of the minority e.g. in 2009, Swiss voted to ban the construction of minarets.
31
What are Recall Elections?
- It allows constituents to trigger a special election to remove an elected representative before the end of their term in office.
32
Should the criteria for recall elections be widened ?
(FOR)
- If an MP fails to deliver on promised or doesn't properly represent their constituents, then they could be removed.
- May strengthen the link between public and politicians.
- Should lead to less corruption by elected officials.
33
Should the criteria for recall elections be widened ?
(AGAINST)
- May remove the ability of MPS to think for themselves, rather than mouthpieces for electorate.
- The public may believes lies or slander spread by an antagonistic media or rival.
- It creates a tense an poisonous atmosphere in politics.
34
Should there be voting reform ?
(FOR)
- Weekend and Online Voting : Turnout in European countries is 10% in countries which use weekend voting.
- Compulsory Voting : It increases the legitmacy of elected bodies. Option of 'none of the above'
- Reducing voting age.
35
Should there be a voting reform ?
(AGAINST)
- Concerns about electoral fraud and secrecy of ballot. Weekend voting could involve additional cost.
- People should be able to decide whether to participate in lections or not.
- Critics argue that most 16-18 have little interest in politics.
36
Examples of Insider Groups
- The National Farmers Union
- The Royal College of Nurses
37
Examples of Outsider Groups
- Just Stop Oil
- Black Lives Matter
- PETA
38
Examples of Casual Groups
- Greenpeace
- PETA
- Unlock democracy.
39
Examples of Sectional Groups
- Age UK
-Muslim Council of Britain.
- Taxpayer's Alliance.
40
What is a INSIDER GROUP?
- They have close links with decision makers at all levels.
- Often consulted by policy makers and can offer expert advice and information + employ lobbyist.
41
What is a OUTSIDER GROUP ?
- They do not have close links with the government and they usually use campaigning often through new media
- Civil Obedience.
42
What is a SECTIONAL group ?
- They present a particular section of the community in the UK and they seek public support, direct links with decision makers and tend to use the responsible "parliamentary" route.
43
What is a CASUAL group ?
- They promote a particular cause and aim to convert the ideas behind the cause into government action or parliamentary legislation.
- Often use direct action ( Civil Disobedience and public demonstration)
