democracy and participation key terms

Question 1

legitimacy

Answer 1

Legitimacy
The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or
widely-held agreements, such as a government’s right to rule
following an election or a monarch’s succession based on the agreed
rules.

Question 2

direct democracy

Answer 2

Direct democracy All individuals express their opinions themselves and not through
representatives acting on their behalf. This type of democracy
emerged in Athens in classical times and direct democracy can be
seen today in referendums.

Question 3

representative democracy

Answer 3

Representative
democracy
A more modern form of democracy through which an individual
selects a person (and/or political party) to act on their behalf to
exercise political choice.

Question 4

pluralist democracy

Answer 4

Pluralist democracy A type of democracy in which a government makes decisions as a
result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments
from competing groups and organisations.

Question 5

democratic defecit

Answer 5

Democratic deficit A flaw in the democratic process where decisions are taken by
people who lack legitimacy, not having been appointed with
sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability

Question 6

particiaption crisis

Answer 6

Participation crisis A lack of engagement by a significant number of citizens to relate to
the political process either by choosing not to vote or to join or
become members of political parties or to offer themselves for public
office

Question 7

franchise or suffrage

Answer 7

Franchise/suffrage Franchise and suffrage both refer to the ability/right to vote in public
elections. Suffragettes were women campaigning for the right to
vote on the same terms as men.

Question 8

think tanks

Answer 8

Think tanks A body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain
topic(s) – to investigate and offer solutions to often complicated and
seemingly intractable economic, social or political issues.

Question 9

lobbyists

Answer 9

Lobbyists A lobbyist is paid by clients to try to influence the government
and/or MPs and members of the House of Lords to act in their
clients’ interests, particularly when legislation is under consideration.