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Democracy And Participation Flashcards

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1
Q

What is democracy?

A

Rule by the people

“Principle that all people and bodies including government must follow the law and can be held to account if they do not”

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2
Q

Key features of democracy?

A 
Political equality
Political participation
Free, fair and regular elections 
Accountable government 
Pluralism
Rule of law
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3
Q

What is constitutional government?

A

Divided government system to limit power of government

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4
Q

What is bicameralism ?

A

Two Houses of Parliament with different compositions to hold executive to account

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5
Q

Difference between power and authority?

A

Power is ability to make others do what one wants them to do

Authority is the right to exercise power

(If no authority then it’s just force)

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6
Q

3 authorities identified by Weber?

A

Traditional - queen

Legal rational - formal via election - PM

Charismatic- sheer personality

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7
Q

What does legitimate mean?

A

Most people accept governmental authority to make rules

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8
Q

Direct democracy definition?

A

People themselves make decisions that affect them

E.g Athenian democracy

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9
Q

Representative democracy definition

A

People vote to choose representatives who will represent their views

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10
Q

Advantages of direct democracy?

A

Genuine opinions

More socially aware public

Encourages participation

Removes power from ruling minority

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11
Q

Disadvantages of direct democracy?

A

Difficult/expensive

Public not guaranteed to be aware

Tyranny of the majority

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12
Q

Advantages of representative democracy?

A

More practical

Reps have greater expertise

Can implement unpopular but necessary policies

Avoids tyranny of majority

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13
Q

Disadvantages of representative democracy?

A

Reps may not represent exact views of the public

Public less involved

Hard for small parties to win

May vote the party line

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14
Q

What is sovereignty ?

A

Ultimate political power and source of all political authority

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15
Q

Examples of referendum

A

2002 Swiss vote on whether to join UN or not

55% yes 45% no

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16
Q

Examples of direct democracy?

A

Athenian democracy, ostracisation possible, at least 6000 needed to participate

USA in New England town hall meetings

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17
Q

What is Burkean representation?

A

MPs selected to use their own judgement to decide, may be different to constituents wishes

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18
Q

Evidence for low turnout

A

69% in GE 2017

Never fell below 71% from 1945 to 1997

69% low but still an increase since 2001 59%

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19
Q

Low turnout in wales?

A

36% in 2011 referendum about further devolution

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20
Q

Evidence for low membership

A

In 1980 4.1% of electorate were members of political party

In 2010 0.8%

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21
Q

Low digital democracy evidence?

A

6% people participate online

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22
Q

Reasons for participation crisis

A

Low turnout

Low membership

Partisan dealignment

Faith in politicians falling

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23
Q

Evidence against participation crisis

A

Not declined just changed forms

Cause group membership rising

Smaller party membership has risen

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24
Q

Evidence for participation changing forms

A

Political consumerism- supporting vegan products etc to participate

Demonstrations against war in Iraq 2003 involved estimated 4% of population

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25
Cause group membership evidence?
RSPB in 2016 | Over a million members, 200,000 youth members
26
Smaller party membership risen evidence
In 2014, UKIP 39,000
27
Subsidiarity definition
Decisions should be taken at the lowest level of government possible
28
Reasons for a democratic deficit
Lower turnouts Lack of widespread referendums House of Lords has undemocratic credential Voting system disproportional Deficit in political education Financial backers e.g Lord ashcroft to parties have undue influence
29
Reasons against democratic deficit
Reforms like devolution Reformation of second chamber underway Wide pressure group membership
30
What is democratic deficit?
People in power lack legitimacy
31
Reasons for lowering voting age to 16
16 year olds already have many responsibilities They are not apathetic - they just might show their views in different ways e.g social media Political parties have to listen to young people more
32
Old/young divide statistic
2017 70% over seventies voted conservative 19% of 18-19 year olds
33
2014 Scottish referendum 16-17 year old statistic?
75% of them voted 54% of 18-24 72% of 25-34
34
Citizenship as a lesson statistic?
Only mandatory in NI and England and is minor part of curriculum
35
Reasons against voting age to be lowered to 16
Causes democratic deficit- more people vote who don't know what they're voting for We should preserve childhood- not force kids to vote Isn't lack of representation- just deferred. 18 year olds still in touch with 16-17 year old issues
36
Two representation acts in early 20th century?
Representation of the people act 1918 Some women allowed to vote. Gave vote to all men Representation of the people 1928 All women allowed to vote
37
What is a pressure group
Organised group that does not hold candidates for an election but seeks to influence government policy and legislation
38
What are sectional groups
Represent a particular section of society
39
What are cause groups
Based on shared attitudes or values, advance particular ideals or principles
40
Insider v outside groups?
Insider operate within the political system. Regularly consulted by government Outsider has no link with government but tries to influence public opinion
41
Three types of insider?
Core insider Peripheral insider Specialist insider
42
3 types outsider groups
Potential insider Outsider by necessity Ideological outsiders - avoid connection as they wish to not be biased
43
Methods for pressure groups?
Influence policy by lobbying Provide evidence to government Raise public awareness Pursue legal rights of members e.g stonewall
44
Examples of pressure groups
BMA - core insider Greenpeace ASH RSPCA Stonewall
45
Who is leader of unite?
Len Mclusky
46
What is unite?
British and Irish trade union
47
Examples of campaigns unite has done?
Support Palestinian state Organising BA strike 2017
48
Membership fact of unite?
Larger membership than all parties put together
49
Controversy surrounding unite leadership ?
Mcclusky continues to act as general secretary even after he stepped down officially.
50
What is ASI?
Neoliberal think tank. "On the edge of lunacy but on the edge of policy"
51
Three policy priorities?
Basic income Simpler taxes More freedom in planning permission for housing
52
How are ASI very influential?
200/624 policies of their Omega Project have been implemented Privatisation of British rail in 1997 Reduced top rate of tax 60% -> 40% In 1988
53
How have ASI maybe not been so successful?
Not much influence under Cameron Not just one think tank consulted before policy changes Gov committed to these sorts of policies anyway
54
How do ASI undermine democracy?
Unelected leaders Lack of transparency Corruption
55
Evidence for PG promoting democracy?
Pluralism- countervailing ASH and FOREST, lots of PG involved in EU referendum Protects minority interest- Muslim Public Affairs Committee Education- BMA publish reports educate people 2012 suggestion of opt out organ donating Snowdrop forced government to ban all handguns after Dunblane massacre
56
Stats for pressure groups
18,000 2008 To 55,000 2010 Taxpayers alliance Countryside Alliance 100,000 members BMA 150,000 members, maybe overrepresented?
57
Pressure groups against democracy?
"Serpents that strangle efficient government" Douglas Hurd - national farmers union Over represent? BMA Mislead- Migration Watch views on net economic benefit of migration National Trust large chequebook membership
58
What did HRA 1998 do?
Shifted from residual freedoms to positive rights (what u can do, not what u can't)
59
What did Equality Act 2010 do?
Made it illegal to discriminate on SCRAGED factors
60
What did Magna Carta do?
1215 Established right to trail by jury and for a court order to be necessary
61
Example of human rights making a impact?
2005 Blair Gov tried to extend period a suspect could be held without charge to 90 days. Commons defeated it, said 28. Coalition changed to 14.
61
Bad effect HRA has had on judiciary system
160 judicial review applications 1975 Now 15,000 in 2013
62
What rights are there in the UK?
Expression, conscience, vote, movement, treatment under law
63
Max Mosley business?
2008 High Court awarded ex-motorsports boss £60,000 compensation for News of the world invading his right to privacy by reporting about his sex life But in 2011 lost the ECHR bid to force newspapers to warn people before exposing their private lives

Politics A Level (8 decks)

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