Democracy Key Terms

Question 1

What is Legitimacy?

Answer 1

How much the government represents the people

Question 2

What is Direct Democracy?

Answer 2

People vote for each individual voting decision ie Referendums
Involves the public directly in the making of each decision
ie voting for SOMETHING

Question 3

What is Representative Democracy?

Answer 3

People vote for representatives in their constituencies to represent them in parliament
ie Voting for SOMEONE

Question 4

What is Pluralist Democracy?

Answer 4

No single group is in control but various groups compete with each other to influence policy, spreading the power more evenly through society

Question 5

What is Democratic Deficit?

Answer 5

A lack of democracy in parliament which is below the amount expected by the people voting MP’s into parliament

Question 6

What is a Participation Crisis?

Answer 6

When a large proportion of the population do not involve in the political process, ie lack of people voting

Question 7

What is a Franchise/Suffrage?

Answer 7

The ability or right to vote for someone in an election or referendum

Question 8

What are Think Tanks?

Answer 8

NGO’s, institutions, corporations or groups providing advice on specific economic or political issues (ie immigration)

Question 9

What are Lobbyists?

Answer 9

People who take part in organised attempts to influence legislators, ie Pressure groups, Trade Unions

Question 10

What is Social Representation?

Answer 10

Members of representative bodies should mirror the larger population (ie gender, religion, race)

Question 11

What does Representing the National Interest mean?

Answer 11

Members of representative bodies should represent the interests of a nation, sometimes over their constituency

Question 12

What is Constituency Representation?

Answer 12

A geographical area that will have similar social and economic concerns that they expect to be represented by the representative in the area. Can represent the constituency as a whole, individual constituents, or listens to constituents when making decisions on a national issue

Question 13

What is Party Representation?

Answer 13

Members of the party will campaign based on the policies of the party’s manifesto (Represent their constituents with their party’s ideals in mind)

Question 14

What is Occupational/Social Representation?

Answer 14

Members of representative bodies who represent groups such as doctors or trade unions, or social groups like older people or low-income groups

Question 15

What is Casual Representation?

Answer 15

Members of a representative body who represent ideas, principles and causes, rather than people (usually from pressure groups)

Question 16

What is Liberal Democracy?

Answer 16

Governments rule by the consent of the governed, a social contract exists between the people and those in power so leaders should answer to the people. Also to ensure freedom of people, limitations restrict the government of full power, in order to create a free society

Question 17

What is the peaceful transitions of power?

Answer 17

Those who lose power by democratic means accept the authority of those who have won. If they do not, politics breaks down and non-peaceful conflict is likely to occur. This helps to ensure that democracy can hold governments to account and ensures the legitimacy of those who have won an election.

Question 18

What are Free elections?

Answer 18

Adults are all free to vote and stand for office, so no groups are excluded from the election and everyone can exercise their right to vote without fear, threat or intimidation. This is enforced through a secret ballot and a strictly enforced right to vote by courts.

Question 19

What are Fair elections?

Answer 19

Everyone has one vote and each vote is of equal value, and there are safeguards in place to avoid electoral fraud and ballot rigging

Question 20

What is the Widespread participation in politics?

Answer 20

When a large proportion of the population participates in politics, which can prevent the government from becoming too dictatorial
Without people’s participation in the political process, there is a breakdown in communication between the government and the governed

Question 21

What is the Freedom of expression and information?

Answer 21

The right of people to express their opinions and criticise the government (Civil liberty)-> people cannot be arrested or persecuted for expressing negative opinions of those in power, their policies or their competence.
Also free access to public information- enabling the public to check the government on how well it is governing

Question 22

What is Freedom of Association?

Answer 22

The freedom to form parties or pressure groups with legal aims and methods-> important for representation

Question 23

What is the protection of rights and liberties?

Answer 23

Rights and liberties of citizens should be firmly safeguarded
(UK) Human Rights Act-> protects rights and liberties, the state cannot erode them
Equalities and Human Rights Commission (England and Wales)-> promotes and protects human life

Question 24

What is the Rule of Law?

Answer 24

All citizens should be treated equally under its laws + governments should be subject to the same laws as its citizens
(they cannot break the law and if they do, they are subject to the same punishments)

Question 25

What is Limited Government?

Answer 25

The idea that there are clear restrictions on government in order to protect the natural right of citizens (legally restrict the power of the government)

Question 26

What is an Independant Judiciary?

Answer 26

Judges (members of the judiciary) are independant from the government so ensure everyone is treated equally under law and that government doesn't exceed its authority. Rights and liberties of citizens are more likely to be upheld

Question 27

What is a constitution?

Answer 27

Add firm limits to the powers of government through law

Question 28

What is Proportional Representation?

Answer 28

Those who are elected represent the number of the overall votes in the country, rather than per constituency

Question 29

What are Unionist MPs?

Answer 29

MPs from Northern Ireland that are loyal to the UK, and want to remain fully part of the UK

Question 30

What are Elections?

Answer 30

Based on democratic rules, used to elect representatives to Parliament and other representative institutions Rules include adult suffrage, free and fair elections, fixed elections either within a maximum term or according to fixed terms

Question 31

What is Parliament?

Answer 31

UK= constitutional democracy Parliament is formed from parliamentary elections + is sovereign + source of all political power - establishes a link between the government and the people, ensuring they are accountable to the people - 2 Houses: House of Lords, House of Commons - Governments secure authority by having a majority in the House of Commons

Question 32

What is the Party system?

Answer 32

Democratic as a number of parties compete for power, affording the public a choice of candidates and manifestos at election time

Question 33

What is the role of pressure Groups?

Answer 33

Broaden political participation + provide the public with an additional channel of communication with the government in relation to particular issues

Question 34

What are Local Authorities and Devolved bodies?

Answer 34

system of elected local authorities + devolved bodies in Scotland,Wales, Northern Ireland

Question 35

What are Referendums?

Answer 35

Resolve major constitutional issues + device of direct democracy

Question 36

What does Standing for Public office mean?

Answer 36

Give up time to attend meetings, campaign, meet constituents, read information, make decisions Lots of time even if you are unsuccessful in getting elected

Question 37

What does Active Party Membership mean?

Answer 37

Engaged with the party they support, attend local meetings, voting for officers, campaign in the community, canvass at election time

Question 38

What does Active pressure group membership mean?

Answer 38

Help to raise money and awareness of the cause they support Can mean attending or organising demonstrations

Question 39

What does Passive party or Group membership mean?

Answer 39

Support enough to join the party or pressure group, but take little of an active part, maybe only active during election time or signing petitions

Question 40

What is a Digital Activist?

Answer 40

Common form of participation, individual takes part in campaigns and movements that happen online Signing e-petitions, joining social media campaigns, express support on social media

Question 41

What does Voting mean?

Answer 41

postal voting- don't have to leave the house Takes little effort to sign a ballot

Question 42

What does Franchise/Suffrage mean?

Answer 42

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 term as men.

Question 43

What is a pressure group?

Answer 43

A membership-based associated whose aim is to influence policy-making without seeking power.

Question 44

What are insider pressure groups?

Answer 44

Organisations that can negotiate behind the scene, may be able to offer their views on acts and drafts Ie Think Tanks, close to certain parties, have effect and can change policies set by governments at the time IPPR, Adam Smith, Nissan

Question 45

What are outsider pressure groups?

Answer 45

less contact with government, protests, petition, more public disruption - May have a lack of influence as to have to result in more physical measures, have less of an impact in government themselves - More prosecutions - Ie Tuition fees increased even after 2010 student demonstration

Question 46

What are Sectional pressure groups?

Answer 46

Promotes the interests of a particular section of society

Question 47

What are Causal pressure groups?

Answer 47

Promote certain causes or values found within society

Question 48

What are Think Tanks?

Answer 48

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 49

What is the role of Think Tanks?

Answer 49

Evidence based ideas into policy making Research to improve society, influence policy makers, general public, decision makers Infuse public debate with research, evidence, information, advice

Question 50

What is a Lobbyist?

Answer 50

A lobbyist is paid by clients to try and 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. Distinct organisations or individuals that sell expert knowledge of the political process to those who can afford to hire them

Question 51

What is Lobbying?

Answer 51

When an individual or group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign. Lobbying can be done in person, by sending letter and emails or via social media.

Question 52

What do Lobbyists do on a basic level?

Answer 52

Employ people with close relation to those in power (ie former advisers or staff for politicians), create strategies for their clients to access the political process + selling insider status Provide political blueprint to help put pressure on those in power

Question 53

What are universal human rights?

Answer 53

Enaliable and universal, cannot be granted or revoked