Democracy + Participation Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is Representative Democracy
Elected politicians accountable to electorate in elections
What power do voters have in a Rep Democ
Sovereignty because they decide to renew mandate or not
What do MPs do
Spend time in constituencies listening to concerns in meetings + surgeries
What must they not do
Act only according to the wishes of constituencies
Advantages
Professional-> well-informed so are less likely to be swayed by emotion
Balance conflicting interests when reaching decisions
– ensure minorities’ rights are protects
Can be held accountable through elections
Disadvantages
Often disengaged from public + don’t rep views of electorate but PGs instead- Westminster Bubble
Social make up of P still mostly white, male, middle class
FPTP fails to truly be representative- ensures Cs + Ls always win
DD
decisions are made by the people w/o reps giving information
No distinction between gov + citizen
Disadv
Impossible for country the size of the UK to do it
Public aren’t well informed
Gives power to charismatic leaders + activists
‘16 EU ref created conflict between wishes of maj + P, suggests it’s divisive
Advs
Engages public + makes politicians more responsive to public’s opinion
Creates closer relationship between public + decision makers
Types of DD
Referendums- majoritarian form
- Brexit - ScotInd
E-petitions- If on gov website + reaches over 100k-> considered for debate
- 2nd Brexit Ref
Recall of MPs ‘15- allows constituents to force by-election if MP guilty of wrongdoing
- Peter Bone ‘23, Wellingborough, 6 week suspension, partner lost byelection to L MP
Reform of UK democ
Participation, devolution, electoral system
Problems w Participation
Since 01 low turnout was increasing until ‘24 tho- 60% vs 77% ‘92 VS 77% dutch ‘23
Party Membership- 309k members ‘24, 250k less than ‘17
Problems w Devolution
S, NI, W + Mayors have devolution
NE ENG voted against it ‘04, 78% no
London Mayor 40% ‘24
Problems w HoL
Remove hereditary peers
make it elected, making it accountable, not just patronage, Cash for Peerages ‘06
BUT: may make it rival HoC
E- petitions
Gives the public more control over what is discussed in P
- led to important debates
- making it powerful(automatic P vote) makes P more accountable
eg Revoke Art 50->6m sigs ‘19
But may lead Westminster down path of impractical debates
Electoral System
Not prop enough- diff for other parties to gain rep
‘24-> Reform UK vote share vs seats
BUT:
Ensures stable Gov + efficient way
Franchise + Debates
Votes at 16, Prisoner Voting, CV
Votes at 16
support decreased recent decades
- Votes at 16 coalition established ‘03 t get support from public + MPs- names all high figure support
Scot Ind ‘14 allowed 16-17 to vote
people can join army but not vote
BUT:
Parental permission needed, can’t buy alcohol, minimal life experience, lowest age turnout 18-24
Prisoner voting
Some say it denies their human rights- Liberty supports it
234 MPs vs it in HoC debate ‘11
John Hirst wanted to vote ‘01 courts dismissed it,
-‘04 ECHR declared blanket ban to be contrary to ECHR
CV
Ensures high turnout, enhances legitimac
Australia CV- 89% ‘22 GE
BUT: chance to not vote = powerful statement
CV would give state too much power to coerce citizens
PGs + influences
Pluralist democ where power + influence is distru among groups
Think tanks, Corps, PGs, lobbyists, religious
Insiders Methods
Like BMA or NFU(called on by gov)
Gov’ s bias determines influence PG’s can exert
Wealthy PGs try to access decision making bodies to seek influence
- Friends of the Earth move to Scotland + Cardiff after Devo
Outsiders
Support thru t=public via campaigning to pressure gov
SM helps with hashtags and trends
Civil obedience w Just Stop Oil
TRU stikes w RMT
Successful Campaigns
