Democracy and Political Participation Flashcards
(168 cards)
1
Q
A
2
Q
What is direct democracy?
A
Laws/policies imposed by government are determined by the people e.g. Brexit
Direct democracy allows citizens to directly participate in decision-making.
3
Q
What is representative democracy?
A
Citizens choose others to represent them, making decisions on their behalf
This type of democracy contrasts with direct democracy.
4
Q
What characterizes a liberal democracy?
A
People vote for government in regular elections with secret ballots and a choice of candidates
The UK is an example of a liberal democracy.
5
Q
What is the delegate theory of representation?
A
MPs act on instructions of constituents
This theory emphasizes direct accountability to voters.
6
Q
What is the trustee theory of representation?
A
MPs use their own judgement when voting on issues
They should prioritize national interest over local interest.
7
Q
What is the party mandate theory of representation?
A
MPs act as representatives of their party and vote along party lines
This reflects party loyalty in decision-making.
8
Q
How many MPs are in the House of Commons?
A
650 MPs
The House of Commons is a key component of the UK Parliament.
9
Q
What type of democracy is the UK?
A
Parliamentary democracy
This structure emphasizes the role of the parliament in governance.
10
Q
What is a manifesto in the context of elections?
A
A document explaining what actions a party would take if elected
It is produced during the election campaign.
11
Q
What does it mean to have a mandate after an election?
A
The winning party claims the authority to enact their manifesto policies
This is based on the support received from voters.
12
Q
What happens if a party wins a majority of seats in an election?
A
Their leader becomes PM who selects a team of MPs and Lords from their party to form a government
A majority is defined as at least 326 seats.
13
Q
What is a hung parliament?
A
When no party has a single majority of MPs
The 2017 election resulted in a hung parliament.
14
Q
What is the role of the legislative branch?
A
Parliament debates and approves new laws while scrutinizing the work of the government
This branch is crucial for law-making.
15
Q
What does the executive branch do?
A
Proposes new laws and implements them once passed by parliament
This branch is responsible for executing laws.
16
Q
What is the judiciary branch?
A
The branch that interprets laws and administers justice
It operates independently from the legislative and executive branches.
17
Q
What did the Great Reform Act of 1832 establish regarding voting rights?
A
Men who owned property and earned more than £10 a year got the vote
This act created new seats for MPs in industrial towns and removed seats from rotten boroughs.
18
Q
What was the Representation of the People Act 1918?
A
Allowed women over 30 who met property qualifications to vote
This act also abolished property restrictions for men and extended the vote to all men over 21.
19
Q
How many women were allowed to vote after the Representation of the People Act 1918?
A
8.5 million women
This represented only 40% of women at the time.
20
Q
What did the Equal Franchise Act 1928 achieve?
A
Women over 21 could vote, granting them the same voting rights as men
This act made 15 million women eligible to vote.
21
Q
What were the Six Points of the People’s Charter?
A
Demands made by the Chartists for full democracy for men
The Chartists aimed for universal male suffrage.
22
Q
What was the outcome of the Chartist movement?
A
Movement collapsed after the failure of the 3rd petition but most demands were eventually implemented
The Chartists submitted three monster petitions with up to 6 million signatures.
23
Q
What tactics did suffragists use in the women’s suffrage movement?
A
Peaceful tactics such as meetings, leaflets, petitions, marches, and lobbying politicians
Suffragists aimed for equality through non-violent means.
24
Q
What tactics did suffragettes use in the women’s suffrage movement?
A
Prepared to break the law
Led by Emmeline Pankhurst, suffragettes engaged in activities like chaining themselves to railings and disrupting public meetings.
25
What was the significance of Emily Davison's death?
She was trampled to death by the king's horse
## Footnote
Her death highlighted the extreme measures taken by suffragettes and contributed to the movement's visibility.
26
What impact did women's roles in the war have on women's suffrage?
Helped the success of women getting the vote
## Footnote
The contributions of women during the war were crucial in changing public perception and political support.
27
Fill in the blank: The Chartists demanded the adoption of the _______.
Six Points of the People's Charter
28
True or False: The suffragists and suffragettes had different objectives.
False
## Footnote
Both groups shared the same objectives but differed in tactics.
29
What was the significance of the 1872 Secret Ballot Act?
It established private voting, ended intimidation, and ensured one person, one vote.
## Footnote
This act was a crucial step in creating a more democratic electoral process in the UK.
30
What was the purpose of the 2000 Electoral Commission?
To ensure integrity of and public confidence in UK democratic processes.
## Footnote
The commission aims to oversee elections and referendums in the UK.
31
What does the 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act aim to do?
Prevent governments from calling elections at times that favor their chances of winning.
## Footnote
This act established a schedule for general elections, ensuring they occur every five years.
32
What is a criticism of the Westminster voting system?
The First Past the Post (FPTP) system distorts electoral preferences and leads to plurality rule.
## Footnote
This means parties can form governments without winning a majority of votes.
33
What is universal suffrage?
The right of all adults to vote.
## Footnote
This principle is fundamental to democratic systems.
34
When was the voting age lowered to 18 in the UK?
1969.
## Footnote
This change allowed younger citizens to participate in elections.
35
Which groups are legally ineligible to vote in the UK?
* House of Lords members
* Prisoners
* Mentally incapable individuals
## Footnote
These exclusions highlight limitations in the universal suffrage principle.
36
What does electoral choice refer to in a democratic system?
The competition between candidates and parties to provide voters with options.
## Footnote
This competition is essential for a healthy democracy.
37
Which political parties emerged in the UK during the 19th century?
* Conservatives
* Liberals
## Footnote
These parties were key players in shaping UK politics during this period.
38
What is the current state of political choice in the UK?
There is little effective choice due to a two-party system dominated by Conservatives and Labour.
## Footnote
This limits the diversity of political options available to voters.
39
What trend has been observed in voter turnout in recent years?
Declining voter turnout, particularly among poor and disadvantaged groups.
## Footnote
This decline raises concerns about the representation of these communities in the democratic process.
40
What is consensus politics?
A political environment where major parties have similar policies, leading to little distinction for voters.
## Footnote
This can result in voter apathy as choices appear limited.
41
What is active citizenship?
The duty of all citizens to be active in political participation through activities such as membership of a party, a pressure group, or a voluntary organisation.
## Footnote
Active citizenship emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to engage in their communities and political systems.
42
What does the term 'Big Society' refer to?
A concept introduced by Cameron post 2005, suggesting that many functions of the state should be replaced by local activism, such as free schools run by community groups and citizen action groups.
## Footnote
The Big Society aimed to empower local communities to take control and address social issues.
43
What is 'hapathy'?
A term describing a state where people are not inspired to vote because they are largely content with their lives.
## Footnote
Hapathy indicates a lack of motivation to participate in democracy due to perceived satisfaction with the status quo.
44
What is the relationship between age and voting likelihood?
Younger individuals are less likely to vote compared to older individuals.
## Footnote
Age is a significant predictor of voter turnout.
45
What does 'differential turnout' mean?
The varying levels of voter turnout across different regions and social groups, which may lead to governmental neglect of less active groups.
## Footnote
Differential turnout raises concerns about representation and prioritization in political agendas.
46
How was the average general election turnout from 1945-1992?
More than 75%.
## Footnote
This period reflects a time of high electoral engagement in the UK.
47
What was the general election turnout in 2001?
59%, the lowest since 1918.
## Footnote
This significant drop indicates a trend of declining political participation.
48
What was the general election turnout in 2019?
67.3%.
## Footnote
While this shows some recovery, it is still below the historical average.
49
What trend was observed in party membership for Labour from the 1950s to 2023?
Decreased from more than 1 million in the 1950s to 430,000 in 2023.
## Footnote
This decline reflects broader trends in political engagement and party affiliation.
50
What was the Conservative party membership trend from the 1950s to 2023?
Decreased from 2.8 million in the 1950s to 200,000 in 2023.
## Footnote
Similar to Labour, this decline indicates a significant reduction in traditional party membership.
51
What has been the trend in membership of smaller parties since the early 2000s?
There has been huge growth in membership of smaller parties such as SNP, Green, and UKIP.
## Footnote
This shift indicates a diversification of political engagement beyond traditional parties.
52
What are some non-traditional methods of political participation?
E-petitions and pressure group membership.
## Footnote
These methods contribute to a more pluralistic political landscape.
53
What are some reasons for the decline in electoral participation?
* Public concern with personal issues over societal ones
* Media's role in creating a climate of cynicism
* Politicians' lack of vision and trustworthiness
* Lack of choice among parties
* Electoral strategies targeting 'key seats'
## Footnote
These factors reflect a complex interplay of societal, media, and political influences on voter engagement.
54
What is a weakness of increased use of referendums?
Hard to control how and when they should be used.
## Footnote
Governments may call referendums only when they believe they will win.
55
What is one method to establish a process for citizen-initiated referendums?
Require a certain number of signatures on a petition.
## Footnote
This method has been widely and successfully used in the USA.
56
What are focus groups primarily used for?
To test government policy.
## Footnote
They consist of a small population sample that speaks for a larger society.
57
How do citizens juries operate?
Through deliberation and debate.
## Footnote
They help develop an informed and mature sense of public opinion and are used in countries like the USA, Denmark, and Norway.
58
What is a recall election?
A process where voters can force a by-election when an MP is found guilty of wrongdoing.
## Footnote
It requires 10% of constituents to sign a petition.
59
What is a notable limitation of recall elections?
Very narrow use; only applies to those sent to prison or suspended from commons.
60
What is the purpose of US-style primary elections?
To allow citizens to select MP candidates.
## Footnote
The commitment to this method has faded over time.
61
What is the requirement for e-petitions to be considered for debate in the commons?
Gathering 100,000+ signatures.
## Footnote
This process is often seen as a 'fig leaf' that gives the impression the government is listening without actually sharing power.
62
When was the voting age traditionally set at 21?
Before 1969.
63
What significant change was made to the voting age in 1969?
Reduced from 21 to 18 by Labour.
64
What change was made to the voting age in 2014 in Scotland?
Reduced to 16 for the Scottish referendum.
65
Which political parties and groups support the reduction of the voting age to 16?
* Labour
* Liberal Democrats
* Plaid Cymru
* Greens
* Electoral commission
* Many pressure groups
66
What is compulsory voting?
Voting is mandatory in certain countries.
## Footnote
In 2007, 32 countries, including Spain, France, and Australia, made voting compulsory, though enforcement is not strict.
67
What technological advancements have influenced democracy since the 1990s?
Internet and smartphones.
## Footnote
This technological revolution has led to the rise of digital and e-democracy.
68
What are the two types of digital and e-democracy initiatives?
* Top-down: initiated by government bodies
* Bottom-up: initiated by citizens/activists
69
What are some examples of digital democracy?
* Online voting
* Online petitions
* Publicity
* Accessing political information
70
What are the long-term factors that influence voting behaviour?
Gender, ethnicity, geography, age, and class
## Footnote
These factors are referred to as primacy factors and do not significantly change over time.
71
What are the short-term factors affecting voting behaviour?
Leadership, issues, media
## Footnote
These factors are known as recency factors and can influence voters in the lead-up to an election.
72
What is the difference between primacy and recency factors in voting behaviour?
Primacy factors are long-term and stable, while recency factors are short-term and variable
## Footnote
Primacy factors include demographic traits, whereas recency factors include current events and leadership changes.
73
What do voting models attempt to explain?
Voting behaviour by emphasizing long-term and short-term factors
## Footnote
These models help to understand how different influences can affect voter decisions.
74
List three examples of recency factors in voting behaviour.
* Leadership
* Issues
* Media
75
What is the trend in voting behavior for younger voters aged 18-22?
More likely to vote Labour
## Footnote
This age group shows a tendency to switch support more than older voters.
76
How does age influence voting patterns?
Older people are more likely to vote Conservative
## Footnote
As people age, their views tend to become more conservative.
77
What is the significance of the 'grey vote'?
The ageing population's voting patterns are increasingly important
## Footnote
Older voters tend to have different priorities and voting behaviors.
78
What percentage of 18-24 year-olds voted Labour in the 1997 election?
49%
## Footnote
This indicates strong support for Labour among younger voters at that time.
79
What percentage of voters aged 65+ voted Conservative in the 1997 election?
36%
## Footnote
This shows a trend of older voters leaning towards Conservative.
80
In the 2010 election, which party did the majority of 18-24 year-olds vote for?
Labour
## Footnote
This trend continues from previous elections.
81
What was the voting percentage for 18-24 year-olds for Labour in the 2019 election?
62%
## Footnote
Indicates a strong preference for Labour among younger voters.
82
What is the voting trend for women in the last three elections?
No major gender differences in voting
## Footnote
Women have shown consistent voting patterns across parties.
83
What percentage of men and women voted Labour in the 2005 election?
Men: 34%, Women: 38%
## Footnote
This indicates slightly higher support for Labour among women.
84
What factors have contributed to an increase in female Labour candidates?
Increase in female candidates and family-friendly policies
## Footnote
Policies such as maternity leave have attracted more women supporters.
85
What percentage of men and women voted Conservative in the 2019 election?
Men: 46%, Women: 34%
## Footnote
This shows a gender gap in support for the Conservative party.
86
Which party do the majority of black and Asian voters support?
Labour
## Footnote
This is due to Labour's more liberal stance on issues like immigration.
87
What percentage of Asian voters supported the Conservative party in the 1997 election?
25%
## Footnote
Reflects a significant portion of the Asian community that voted Conservative.
88
What was the voting pattern for white voters in the 2019 election?
48% voted Conservative
## Footnote
This indicates a majority preference for Conservative among white voters.
89
What geographic divide is evident in voting patterns?
North-South divide
## Footnote
The North is historically working class while the South is wealthier and more rural.
90
Which party gained support in Greater London and the English Midlands in the 1997 election?
Labour
## Footnote
This indicates a shift in support for Labour in these areas.
91
How many seats did the Conservative party win in Scotland during the 2005 election?
1 seat
## Footnote
This reflects a significant decline in Conservative support in Scotland.
92
What was historically the biggest long-term factor influencing voting behavior?
Social class
## Footnote
This suggests that social class played a significant role in determining voting patterns in the past.
93
What are the class categories defined in the text?
* A = higher managerial
* B = lower managerial
* C1 = skilled supervisors
* C2 = skilled manual
* D = unskilled manual
* E = unemployed/poor
## Footnote
These categories classify individuals based on their socio-economic status.
94
What does class alignment refer to?
The commitment of a social class to a party
## Footnote
Individuals in a class will vote for their aligned party regardless of circumstances.
95
What is class voting?
The strong link between class and voting
## Footnote
Most individuals vote for their 'natural' class party that represents their interests.
96
What is partisanship in the context of voting?
Stable, long-term feelings of positive attachment to a main party
## Footnote
This attachment often develops through socialization in environments like home and school.
97
What is class dealignment?
The decline in the number of voters voting according to their natural class since 1979
## Footnote
This indicates a shift in voting patterns away from traditional class affiliations.
98
What is partisan dealignment?
The decline in the number of voters strongly identifying with main parties
## Footnote
This trend shows that fewer voters have strong allegiances to any party.
99
How did the percentage of voters identifying as 'very strong' supporters of a main party change from 1964 to 2005?
From 43% in 1964 to 13% in 2005
## Footnote
This decline illustrates a significant shift in voter loyalty over time.
100
What is the Party Identification model?
A model explaining voter behavior based on their identification with a political party
## Footnote
This model helps to understand why voters might change their allegiances.
101
Who is Ivor Crewe, and what did he argue regarding the working class?
Ivor Crewe argued that the new working class benefited from conservative policies like the right to buy council houses
## Footnote
This change contributed to the defeat of the Labour Party in 1983.
102
What did Anthony Heath argue about the decline in working-class voting for Labour?
It was due to a reduction in the size of the traditional manual working class
## Footnote
He also noted that election circumstances, like economic issues, affect class and party support.
103
What does social mobility refer to in this context?
The ability to change position in society with more access to education
## Footnote
Increased educational access can lead to shifts in social class.
104
What percentage of AB class voted Conservative in 2019?
45%
## Footnote
This indicates the voting preference of the higher managerial and professional classes.
105
What was the turnout percentage for 16-24 year olds in 2010?
44%
## Footnote
This age group's lower turnout may influence government policies.
106
Fill in the blank: The measure of how different definable groups within society turnout for election is called _______.
Differential turnout
## Footnote
Understanding differential turnout helps analyze voting behavior across various demographics.
107
What was the turnout for over 65s in 2010?
75%
## Footnote
This higher turnout rate among older voters can influence political outcomes.
108
What is a key trend observed in government policies regarding age demographics?
Government policies seem to favor over 65s
## Footnote
This trend may be linked to their higher voter turnout.
109
What trend has been observed in voter behavior regarding party loyalty?
Rise of partisan dealignment; voters link more individualistically about their votes.
110
What is issue voting?
Voters place one issue above the rest and judge a party/candidate by their position on that issue.
111
Give an example of an issue that can lead to issue voting.
Brexit
112
What are valence issues?
Issues where voters share a common preference, such as the desire for a prosperous country.
113
What is the concept of governing competency?
Voters cast a vote based on who they believe is best placed to deliver desired outcomes.
114
How are politicians rewarded or punished in elections?
Based on whether they deliver on their promises.
115
What is presented in a party manifesto?
Policies that voters decide which set suits them best.
116
What do party campaigners increasingly focus on during elections?
A clear message about one issue that they believe will win them the election.
117
What role does the party leader play in elections since the 1970s?
Voters view them as selecting a PM rather than just an MP or party.
118
What is a significant factor in the personality and image of a party leader?
It plays a significant role and is increasingly focused on by the media.
119
List some roles of a party leader.
* Inspire party activists
* Appear prime ministerial
* Have a positive media presence
* Appear strong in leading the party
120
Are party leaders the main reason for a party's electoral fortunes?
Yes, but other factors also play a significant role.
121
What motivates core voters and activists during elections?
Strong performance of the party leader.
122
What do people primarily vote for in elections?
MP not PM.
123
What external factors can significantly affect public opinion?
* Iraq war
* 2008 financial crisis
124
What is the traditional role of the media in politics?
Accurately report on events, educate, act as check and scrutinise the government, inform in a balanced manner, investigate controversies, provide a forum for public debate, act as a bridge between electorate and elected.
## Footnote
The traditional media role emphasizes accountability and informed citizenship.
125
What has been a negative effect of the media's role today?
Overly partisan, created a national mood of cynicism towards politicians, turned politicians into celebrities, focused on crisis rather than concerns, sensationalism, negative public view of the world.
## Footnote
The shift towards sensationalism has impacted public perception of politics.
126
How has 24-hour news affected the media?
Media creates stories and issues.
## Footnote
The constant news cycle can lead to exaggerated or manufactured narratives.
127
What is a consequence of online platforms in media?
Uninformed debate presented as fact.
## Footnote
Online platforms can blur the lines between opinion and fact, leading to misinformation.
128
What characterizes opinion-oriented media?
Bias in reporting and presentation of news.
## Footnote
Opinion-oriented media can skew public understanding of events.
129
What distinguishes broadsheet from tabloid media?
Broadsheet focuses on weighty political debates while tabloid emphasizes sensation and entertainment.
## Footnote
The format and audience of these media types affect their content and presentation.
130
What role can magazines play in the media landscape?
Provide important checks, help to inform, scrutinize work of politicians without detailed reports.
## Footnote
Magazines can offer in-depth analysis and commentary that differs from daily news.
131
Fill in the blank: The media's role today often leads to a national mood of _______.
cynicism towards politicians.
## Footnote
This cynicism can affect voter engagement and trust in government.
132
True or False: The media today primarily focuses on educating the public about political issues.
False.
## Footnote
The focus has shifted towards sensationalism and entertainment.
133
What impact does the media's focus on crisis have on public perception?
It helps create a negative public view of the world.
## Footnote
Continuous coverage of crises can distort reality and amplify fear.
134
Which papers are left leaning?
Mirror, Guardian, i
135
Which Paper is neutral?
The Times
136
Which Paper is right leaning?
Sun, The Daily Mail, Express
137
What type of headlines are used in radio media?
Basic informative headlines
138
What is the purpose of commercial radio?
Designed to engage in political discussion + debate (talk radio)
139
What are the key features of BBC Radio?
Interview + challenge + phone-ins to encourage political debate
140
What is required for all terrestrial TV channels regarding news broadcasts?
Regular + impartial, set time + duration
141
How do news channels provide coverage?
24hr coverage, hyping events + making them seem more serious
142
What does political programming include?
Extended interviews + discussion, allowing public to engage + participate
143
What regulations exist for party political broadcasts?
Ensures all parties given fair + equal chance
144
What does the agenda setting theory suggest about the media?
Media can force certain issues onto the political agenda by having prominent stories or campaigns about them.
## Footnote
This theory highlights the media's power in shaping public discourse and priorities.
145
What is the reinforcement theory in relation to media influence?
People are not influenced by the media but instead switch to something that reflects their views.
## Footnote
This theory suggests that individuals seek media that confirms their existing beliefs.
146
What was the key message of the Conservative Party's 1979 broadcast?
‘Crisis, what crisis’
## Footnote
This slogan emerged during the Winter of Discontent, when issues like unemployment and strikes were prevalent.
147
What issues were highlighted in the Conservative Party's 1979 campaign?
* Unemployment
* Strikes/union power
* Taxation
* Living standards
## Footnote
These issues questioned the governing competency of the Labour Party.
148
What was the Conservative Party's message in their 1997 broadcast?
‘New Labour, new danger’
## Footnote
This campaign played on fears regarding the unknown aspects of Labour's policies.
149
What positive message did the Labour Party convey in their 1997 campaign?
‘Things can only get better’
## Footnote
This slogan aimed to evoke a feel-good factor among voters.
150
Who was the target audience of personality politics in campaigns?
* Middle class
* Young people
* ‘First time’ voters
## Footnote
This strategy aimed to connect emotionally with voters through charismatic leaders.
151
What was the focus of the Conservative Party's 2017 campaign?
The choice between May and Corbyn
## Footnote
This campaign included smear tactics against the Labour leader.
152
What was the Labour Party's slogan in the 2017 campaign?
‘For the many, not the few’
## Footnote
This slogan aimed to resonate with ordinary people and promote inclusivity.
153
What emotional appeal did the Labour Party focus on in their 2017 campaign?
Leader → in touch, happy feel-good, saviour
## Footnote
This approach sought to create a positive emotional connection with voters.
154
What was the Conservative Party's focus in their 2019 campaign?
‘Let’s get Brexit done’
## Footnote
This campaign centered around the salient issue of Brexit.
155
What was Labour's focus in their 2019 campaign?
‘For the many, not the few’ (again)
## Footnote
This slogan was repeated to reinforce their message to traditional Labour supporters.
156
What issues did Labour focus on during their 2019 campaign?
Valence issues
## Footnote
These issues are those where parties are judged based on their ability to deliver on key concerns.
157
What effect does social media have on interaction with ordinary voters?
Interaction is far more immediate.
158
What challenge does social media pose for event management?
Management of events is more difficult.
159
How does social media act as a reflective force in political views?
It reinforces views instead of challenging them.
160
What is a significant issue related to information on social media?
Fake news.
161
How much did the Conservatives spend in the 2015 general election?
£1.2 million.
162
How much did Labour spend in the 2015 general election?
£16,000.
163
What are two advantages of online media compared to traditional media?
* Greater frequency of opinion polls
* Cheaper than traditional polls
164
What role do blogs play in political discourse?
They provide information and discussion about political issues.
165
How can Twitter be utilized in politics?
It can provide informal polls and serve as a forum for political debate.
166
What is one way campaigning can benefit from social media?
It can test ideas and messages before committing to traditional media.
167
What is a potential negative aspect of social media in campaigning?
It can be used as a source of unregulated campaigning.
168
What can be found on politicians' and parties' websites?
* Information about policies
* Issues raised
* Donation options to the party
