Democracy And Participation Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is Direct democracy?
People themselves making political decisions through voting
Key functions of democracy?
People have influence on decision
Government accountability to people
Election to be free and fair
Right of freedom to people
Form of direct democracy?
Referendums and initiatives
What is Representative democracy?
Elected representatives who make decisions on your behalf
What are functions of representative democracy?
Regular elections
Representative debates
Rep and gov are accountable to the people
Party campaigns
advantages of direct democracy
Rule by the majority
Purest form of democracy
Respect decisions and direct constant
Decisions made are entrenched
Advantages of representative democracy?
Protect minorities against majority
Rep have more knowledge and judgment
More reflective and understanding
Pluralism
Following society and political systems
Democratic deficit
Term or sense democracy in UK is flawed
Pos and neg of free elections
Everyone over 18 can vote
House of Lords isn’t elected
Pos and neg of fair elections
Proportional systems in Britain
First past the post leads to disproportional results
Pos and neg of widespread participation
Large membership of pressure groups
However small increase in turnout in 2017 general election
Pos and neg of freedom of expression
Free access to internet and broadcast media
These ownerships of media is based on large companies
Pos and neg of freedom of association
No restrictions on legal organisations
Some associations are banned as seen on terrorism or racial hatred
Franchise
Right to vote and suffrage of all adults
Characteristics of franchise
All over 18 can vote expect prisoners
Responsible for all people to register to vote
What are some franchise issues?
Low turnout meaning compulsory voting
reducing voting age to 16
Online voting
Weekend voting
Examples of politics participation
Voting in elections Joining political parties Active member of party Join pressure groups Sign a petition or e - petition
What is participation crisis?
Ways to critic various forms of political participation and how it is declining in the uk
Some examples of falling participation
Low turnout at election 68.7%
People don’t trust politicians
Falling party memberships
Not enough engagement in politics issues
features of promotional groups
Serve the whole community
Tend to mobilise public opinion
Use direction action
Seek wide support
Features of sectional groups
Serve interest of their own members
Seek public support and link with decision makers
Formal memberships are used
Difference between pressure groups and parties
Parties seek power, PG don’t seek power
Parties are accountable,PG aren’t accountable
Parties have formal membership, PG have loose organisation
Pressure group what is lobbying?
direct contact with important decision makers
