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UK Government And Politics > Democracy And Political Participation > Flashcards

Democracy And Political Participation Flashcards

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1
Q

Anarchy definition

A

A condition of lawlessness and disorder caused by the absence of any controlling authority

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2
Q

Ballot definition

A

A method of secret voting

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3
Q

Constituent definition

A

A citizen residing in a particular MP’s area or district

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4
Q

Constituency

A

An area whose voters elect a representative to a legislative body

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5
Q

Democracy definition

A

A government of the people, by the people and for the people

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6
Q

Direct democracy definition

A

A political system or circumstance where the people themselves make key political decisions directly

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7
Q

Liberal democracy

A

A democracy where there is an emphasis on the protection of individual rights and liberties

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8
Q

Limited government definition

A

The powers of government are limited by law

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9
Q

What is 38 degrees

A

A website where people can become involved in politics by; watching videos, signing e-petitions, joining campaigns etc

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10
Q

Accountability definition

A

Government takes responsibility for and justifies their actions and decisions

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11
Q

Athenian democracy definition

A

The first form of democracy in the world.

A form of direct democracy

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12
Q

Burkean representation definition

A

The idea that MP’s are better suited to make key political decisions as they are more politically educated and won’t make emotional decisions

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13
Q

Citizen definition

A

A member of a political community that has certain rights e.g. The right to vote

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14
Q

Compulsory voting definition

A

Forcing every eligible voter to vote by law

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15
Q

Democratic deficit definition

A

A situation where there is a decrease in democracy , e.g. a lack of democratic accountability

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16
Q

E-democracy definition

A

Democracy or politics on the Internet

E.g. e-voting, e-petitions, blogs, vlogs

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17
Q

Government definition

A

The group of people with the authority to govern a country

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18
Q

Legitimacy definition

A

The degree to which a state or its government can be considered to have the right to exercise power

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19
Q

Referendum definition

A

A popular vote where the people are asked to determine an important political or constitutional issue directly

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20
Q

Representation definition

A

The state of being pep resented by an MP in parlimeny

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21
Q

Representative definition

A

An MP who represent the people in a constituency or area

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22
Q

Representative democracy definition

A

A political system where most decisions are made by elected representatives rather than the people themselves

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23
Q

Parliamentary democracy definition

A

A type of representative democracy where an elected parliament is the source of all political authority and where government is drawn largely from parliament

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24
Q

How is the UK undemocratic

A

First past the post considered unfair - causes low turnout at elections
Under 18s can’t vote - unrepresentative
No elected head of state

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25
How can voter turnout be increased
Make voting compulsory Lower the voting age Electoral reform
26
What are the disadvantages of e-democracy
False information - make people support a cause they don't really believe in Make issues seem more important and supported than they are
27
What is the west Lothian question
Should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English only laws
28
In what ways do referendums enhance democracy
Entrenches constitutional change - EC referendum Most direct form of democracy Prevent government from making unpopular decisions - Scottish independence referendum
29
In what ways do referendums not enhance democracy
People can use them to show distaste at the government - 2011 AV referendum Tyranny of the majority - Scottish independence referendum People may not understand complex issues - EU treaties
30
How has digital democracy developed in the UK
E- petitions - 38 degrees - save Coventry stadium Social networking - conservative Facebook page Blogs - labour first
31
What are the arguments for the further use of referendums in the UK
Stop government from making unpopular decisions - Scottish independence referendum referendum Decisions are more likely to be accepted by the people if they make them - Good Friday agreement Government may be unable to solve some problems - EC referendum - party split
32
What are the arguments against the continued use of referendums in the UK
Tyranny of the majority - Scottish independence referendum Vote to show dislike of government - AV after tuition fees raised Some people may not be politically educated - struggle to understand issues e.g. EU treaties People can be influenced by tabloids and the Internet - information could be false
33
How can political participation be improved
``` Lower voting age Electoral reform - more proportional Compulsory voting Teach citizenship in school E-voting - easier to vote ```
34
How do people grant consent to government
Elections Referendums Demonstrations of support - marches/petitions
35
How is the UK a pluralist democracy
A wide range of beliefs are tolerated Range of parties Range of pressure groups
36
Advantages of representative democracy
Most people do not have time to be continually involved in political decisions MPs have more experience and specialist knowledge MPs are rational - avoid emotional decisions - death penalty
37
What are the disadvantages of representative democracy
Between elections it is hard to make MPs accountable MPs may ignore the demands of the people who elect them MPs are partisan - align themselves with their party and may ignore local wishes Sometimes, conflict can only be resolved by direct democracy - EC referendum
38
What are the advantages of compulsory voting
Increased election turnout | Forces people to consider political issues
39
What are the disadvantages of making voting compulsory
Abuses freedom of choice | Cost involved with policing
40
What are the advantages of lowering the voting age to 16
Makes the young more politically aware Makes political education more relevant Makes election results more representative
41
What are the disadvantages of lowering the voting age to 16
16 year olds are too young to make important decisions | Many 16 year olds would chose not to vote anyway
42
What are the advantages of e-voting
Provide greater access - some people may not be able to go and vote Increased turnout - more are likely to be able to vote
43
What are the disadvantages of e-voting
Vulnerable to hacking/fraud | Information online can be wrong - Britain first
44
How is the UK a liberal democracy
Free and fair elections - anyone over 18 can vote if they are not in jail Wide range of views are tolerated - pluralist Individual rights allowed and protected - human rights act Government is accountable to the people to ensure that it is attempting to act in their best interest There is a high degree of acceptance of the results of elections - little or no violence associated with mainstream politics
45
How is the UK not a liberal democracy
Low turnout 2 party system Partisan dealignment
46
How can democracy in the UK be improved
Elected House of Lords Elected head of state Codified constitution Electoral reform
47
What are the advantages of introducing an elected House of Lords to improve democracy
Increased legitimacy | Provide a check on government
48
What are the disadvantages of introducing an elected House of Lords to improve democracy
May be less independent from parties in the House of Commons | May slow down decision making
49
What are the advantages of introducing an elected head of state to improve democracy
Increased legitimacy | They could legitimately end deadlocks
50
What are the disadvantages of introducing elected head of state to improve democracy
Destabilise deadlocks | Eliminate long standing historical decisions
51
What are the advantages of introducing a codified constitution to improve democracy
Increase engagement with system | Rights and freedoms better protected
52
What are the disadvantages of introducing a codified constitution to improve democracy
Less flexible | May slow down decision making
53
What are the advantages of using electoral reform to improve democracy
Make elections fairer - UKIP 4m votes but 1 seat | Reflect the pluralist nature of the UK - government would be more legitimate
54
What are the disadvantages of using electoral reform to improve democracy
Change rejected in 2011 | People want a strong and stable government like in 2015 - no coalition - another system may not create this
55
How can the democratic deficit be reduced
Reduce voting age to 16 Compulsory voting E-voting
56
How is Britain a representative democracy
Each MP represents a constituency Both Houses of Parliament are, to some extent, expected to act as a representative cross section of society as a whole All mainstream parties claim to represent the nation as a whole People are represented by pressure groups The media, especially newspapers, represent the general public
57
How is Britain not a representative democracy
MPs may put party politics first The houses of parliament are unrepresentative - few women, ethnic minorities and young people -90% are university educated
58
Why would direct democracy not work well today
The population is too large - not plausible
59
What is it called when the people call for an election
An initiative
60
What is a example of a form of initiative
E-petition
61
What are examples of referendums
``` 2011 AV referendum 1975 EC referendum Good Friday agreement referendum 2014 Scottish independence referendum Elected London mayor election ```
62
What are the problems with referendums
Yes/no question only Costly Low turnout
63
What is an example of a referendum that enhanced constitutional change
1975 EC referendum - has not been one since - but one planned for 2017 - now EU
64
What is an example of a referendum with a low turnout
London mayor referendum - 34% turnout
65
Why is democracy important
``` Allows freedom of speech Protects minority groups Limits governments power Power is spread widely Voting - people decide who they want to be in charge of the country ```
66
How is the UK democratic
Free media Elected prime minister Freedom of speech Referendums Anyone can join almost any political party or pressure group Each part of the UK is represented by an MP - constituency Pressure groups and parties represent different interests
67
What is party delegation
People vote for a party as a whole - not a candidate
68
Monolithic definition
Everyone thinks and does the same thing - no one disagrees with it
69
What I an example of direct democracy in the UK
Referendums
70
How are referendums and elections different
A referendum is a yes or no question, in an election people vote for a party/candidate Referendums held at any time, election held within 5 years In an election the people have the power but in a referendum the government still has power - can ignore the result but never have Referendums are a for of direct democracy, elections are a form of representative democracy Referendums represent the will of the majority, elections are pluralist
71
How is representative democracy superior to direct democracy
MPs have more knowledge in political issues so may have better judgements - people may make emotional decisions It would be difficult to ask the entire community about complex issues Allows mediation - parties can work together in a way that would be impossible for the entire community to do
72
How is representative democracy not superior to direct democracy
People are more likely to accept a decision if they made it than if MPs did - 2014 Scottish independence referendum Direct democracy entrenches policies - 1975 EC referendum E- petitions, a form of direct democracy, are easily accessible and can be used to influence policies
73
Citizenship definition
The idea that members of the political community have certain rights with respect to political institutions
74
How can people participate in politics
``` Simply being informed about issues Contributing to online forums or petitions Voting in various elections Joining a pressure group Taking part in physical or e-petitions Joining a political party Becoming active in a party Becoming active in a pressure group Running for political office - to be an MP or the prime minister ```
75
Political participation definition
Opportunities for and tendencies of the people to become involved in the political process
76
What are the main features of parliamentary democracy in the UK
Parliament is the source of all political power - sovereign Government is drawn from parliament Government makes itself constant accountable to parliament All citizens are represented by an MP Parliament as a whole is expected to represent the national interest

UK Government And Politics (6 decks)

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