Democracy And Participation

Question 1

2 types of democracy

Answer 1

Representative and Direct

Question 2

What is representative democracy

Answer 2

Where people vote for representatives to represent them in the HOC. MP constituency link

Question 3

Direct democracy ?

Answer 3

Form of democracy where people actively make decisions (referendums)

Question 4

What are the advantages of direct democracy

Answer 4

Everyone’s opinions are equal.

Question 5

Advantages of representative democracy

Answer 5

Practicality
MP’s elected can be held accountable
People elected are educated and understand political systems

Question 6

Disadvantages of representative

Answer 6

Public disengagement
Corruption

Question 7

FPTP

Answer 7

An electoral system that is utilised in the UK that leads to a plural majority

Question 8

Why is the UK system not democratic

Answer 8

FPTP produces unproportional seats to votes ratio- 2015 UKIP won 12.6% of votes received only 0.15 percent of seats.
HOL remains an unelected body
Low voter turnout- 2001 59.4% lowest since 1918. 2024- 59.7%

Question 9

The UK system is democratic points

Answer 9

Universal suffrage
Free fair elections
Devolution

Question 10

What is democracy?

Answer 10

Rule by the people.

Democracy encompasses various forms of governance where power is derived from the people.

Question 11

Define direct democracy.

Answer 11

Citizens make decisions directly (e.g., referendums).

Question 12

Define representative democracy.

Answer 12

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Question 13

What is legitimacy in the context of politics?

Answer 13

The legal right or authority to exercise power.

Question 14

What is participation in politics?

Answer 14

The ways in which people engage with politics (e.g., voting, protests, joining parties).

Question 15

Who makes decisions in direct democracy?

Answer 15

Citizens directly.

Question 16

Who makes decisions in representative democracy?

Answer 16

Elected representatives.

Question 17

What are examples of direct democracy?

Answer 17

• Referendums
• Petitions

Question 18

What are examples of representative democracy?

Answer 18

• General elections
• Parliament

Question 19

List advantages of direct democracy.

Answer 19

• True will of people
• More legitimacy

Question 20

List disadvantages of direct democracy.

Answer 20

• Uninformed decisions
• Tyranny of majority

Question 21

List advantages of representative democracy.

Answer 21

• Practical for large populations
• Expertise

Question 22

List disadvantages of representative democracy.

Answer 22

• May not reflect will of people
• Elitist

Question 23

What was the 2016 Brexit Referendum an example of?

Answer 23

Direct democracy used for a major national issue.

Question 24

What do general elections illustrate?

Answer 24

Electing MPs every 5 years = representative democracy.

Question 25

List strengths of UK democracy.

Answer 25

* Free and fair elections (e.g. Electoral Commission oversight) * Universal suffrage (everyone 18+ can vote) * Devolution enhances local democracy (Scotland, Wales, NI) * Pressure groups and petitions allow alternative participation * Judiciary is independent (e.g. 2019 prorogation ruling)

Question 26

List weaknesses of UK democracy.

Answer 26

* Unelected House of Lords = undemocratic * FPTP creates safe seats and unrepresentative results * Turnout is still relatively low — especially in local elections * Lack of codified constitution = rights not entrenched * Participation inequality: young people and disadvantaged groups often excluded

Question 27

What evidence supports the argument of a participation crisis?

Answer 27

* Falling party membership * Voter turnout decline * Disengagement among youth * Distrust in politicians

Question 28

What evidence counters the argument of a participation crisis?

Answer 28

* Higher turnout in recent elections * Rise in alternative forms of participation * Pressure groups growing * More public engagement via social media platforms

Question 29

What was the turnout for the 2016 EU Referendum?

Answer 29

72.2%

Question 30

What was significant about the 2019 Revoke Article 50 Petition?

Answer 30

Over 6 million signatures, showing alternative forms of participation.

Question 31

Who led the Youth Climate Strikes (2019–20)?

Answer 31

School students inspired by Greta Thunberg.

Question 32

What was notable about Labour Party membership trends under Corbyn?

Answer 32

Surged to over 500,000 members in 2017.

Question 33

What are some positive evaluations of UK democracy?

Answer 33

* Free elections and legal rights * Multiple pressure groups * Increased protest and petition activity

Question 34

What are some negative evaluations of UK democracy?

Answer 34

* House of Lords unelected * Electoral system distorts results * Social and generational gaps in turnout * Lack of entrenched rights

Question 35

Fill in the blank: Make sure to balance examples from formal participation (e.g., voting) with informal participation (e.g., ______, ______).

Answer 35

[protest, petitions]

Question 36

What is the focus of the 12 marker practice question?

Answer 36

Evaluate the view that UK democracy is in crisis.

Question 37

What is the focus of the 30 marker practice question?

Answer 37

To what extent is democracy in the UK effective?