Democracy And Participation Flashcards
(10 cards)
Advantages to Direct democracy
Gives equal weight to all votes
Develops sense of community and encourages debate
Removes need for trusted representatives
Encourages popular participation in politics
Disadvantages of Direct democracy
Open to manipulation by cleverest and articulate speakers
Will of majority is not mediated, minorities viewpoints are disregarded
Many people do not want to take part
Advantages of representative democracy
Elections allow people to hold account
Reduces chance of minority rights being overridden
Politicians are better informed
Deals with complex issues and rapid response
Disadvantages of representative democracy
May lead to reduce participation
Politicians may be corrupt and incompetent
** skilful in avoiding accountability
Minorities may still find being under represented
Parties and pressure groups are often run by elite pursuing their own agendas
Positive democratic features
Free media
Free and fair elections
Devolved governments
Independent judiciary
Negative democratic features
Under representation of minority viewpoints due to the voting system
House of Lords lacks democratic legitimacy
Lack of protection for citizen rights
Control of media by wealth and buisness interests
Voting should be made compulsory
Social duty and right
Produce a parliament more representative of the population as a whole
Politicians would have to run better campaigns and governments would have to frame their policies
Voting should remain voluntary
Undemocratic to force people to take part in something
Compulsory voting does not address the deeper reasons why people decide not to vote
Not stop politicians focusing their campaigns on marginal seats
Major milestones in development of rights in UK
Magna Carta 1215
ECHR 1950
Human Rights Act (1998)
Equality Act 2010
Why do some pressure groups have more influence than others?
Public support
Resources
Tactics and leadership
Government attitudes
