Democracy & Participation

Question 1

What is Legitimacy? [2]

Answer 1

Right to govern

Right to make laws

Question 2

How is legitimacy conveyed and how can the UK be seen to lack legitimacy as a result?

Answer 2

Through election

The FPTP system elects a government on a minority of the vote

Question 3

How can consent be given? [5]

Answer 3

By election
Good turnouts in elections
Lack of popular dissent
Clear demonstrations of support for government
Referendum

Question 4

What is Citizenship? [3] Give examples

Answer 4

Grants enjoyment of certain rights (to vote)
Enjoyment of civil liberties (freedom of expression)
Carries certain duties or obligations (to pay taxes)

Question 5

Define democracy

Answer 5

System of government where the people have access to independent information and can influence the actions of government. Government is accountable to the people

Question 6

Features of a modern democracy [7]

Answer 6

Free and fair elections
Peaceful transfer of power
Access to independent information
Government is accountable to the people
Different political beliefs are tolerated
Government operates in the broad interests of the people

Question 7

2 examples of democratic institutions

Answer 7

UK, USA

Question 8

What is direct democracy?

Answer 8

The people making the decisions themselves, normally through referendums

Question 9

Examples of direct democracy

Answer 9

2011 AV Referendum

Question 10

What is representative democracy? [5]

Answer 10

People elect representatives
People delegate their powers to these representatives
Parties represent different political views
Pressure groups represent sections of society and interests
Representative assemblies express the will of the people

Question 11

How does representation operate in the UK? [6]

Answer 11

MPs represent constituencies
MPs represent their party
Parties represent different political views
Pressure groups represent different sections of society
HoC represents national interest
HoL represents sections of society

Question 12

Features of a pluralist democracy? [4]

Answer 12

Multiple parties are allowed to operate
Different political beliefs are tolerated
Many sources of independent information
Power is dispersed

Question 13

Example of a pluralist democracy

Answer 13

USA

Question 14

Features of a liberal democracy [4]

Answer 14

Liberties respected and well protected
Strong constitution limits government power
Government has strong internal checks and balances
High level of political toleration

Question 15

Example of liberal democracy

Answer 15

Germany

Question 16

Advantages of representative democracy [5]

Answer 16

People don’t have time to be politically involved so elect representatives to act on their behalf
Representatives have more knowledge and expertise
Representatives can be made accountable
People may react emotionally, representatives are more rational
Representatives can educate the public

Question 17

Disadvantages of representative democracy [4]

Answer 17

Difficult to make representatives accountable between elections
Representatives may ignore or distort the views of the public
MPs may toe party line rather than act in the interests of constituents
Voters can’t express preferences within election manifestos

Question 18

Advantages of direct democracy [5]

Answer 18

Purest from of democracy
Referendums give decisions legitimacy
People can participate more directly in direct democracy
Important change can be entrenched through referendum
When government is decided, referendums solve the conflict

Question 19

Disadvantages of direct democracy [6]

Answer 19

Issue too complex
People may vote irrationally
Too many referendums lead to voter fatigue
Voters lose respect for representative institutions
Referendums encourage tyranny of the majority
With a low turnout, result lacks legitimacy

Question 20

Example of a referendum issue being too complex

Answer 20

2016 EU Referendum

Question 21

Example of a referendum being voted on irrationally

Answer 21

Capital punishment

Question 22

Referendum encouraging tyranny of the majority

Answer 22

2008 Californian referendum making civil partnerships illegal

Question 23

Example of referendum lacking legitimacy due to poor turnout

Answer 23

1998 London elected mayor - 34%

Question 24

Scenarios when referendums are necessary with examples [4]

Answer 24

When government is split on an issue (1975 European community membership)
When important constitutional change is being proposed (1998 London mayor)
When important constitutional change needs entrenching (1997 Scottish devolution)
When there is special need to secure popular consent (1998 GFA)

Question 25

Compare direct democracy and representative democracy [5]

Answer 25

DD is purer DD more associated with constructional change whereas RD more associated with daily politics DD only majority view where RD considers all views Representatives can be made accountable in RD Referendums can be seen as more legitimate

Question 26

How can UK citizens participate in politics? [4]

Answer 26

Voting in elections and referendums Taking part in public consultations Joining a pressure group or party Standing for office

Question 27

Evidence of decline in political participation [4]

Answer 27

Turnouts in referendums are low (2011 AV - 42%) Party membership falling (4% in 1980 to 0.8% in 2010) Widespread disillusionment with politics Partisan de alignment

Question 28

3 methods for increasing political participation

Answer 28

Compulsory voting Votes at 16 E-democracy

Question 29

Arguments for and against compulsory voting [3/3]

Answer 29

For - increases turnout - people become used to voting - results are more legitimate Against - abuses people's freedoms - results are artificial - can't solve the problem of apathy

Question 30

Arguments for and against votes at 16 [3/3]

Answer 30

For - makes young politically aware - improves identification with politics - makes political education relevant Against - too young to make a judgement - may not vote - policies may be distorted to attract young voters

Question 31

Arguments for and against E-democracy [3/3]

Answer 31

For - provides greater to politics - promotes direct democracy - may increase electoral turnout Against - vulnerable to fraud and hacking - false information can circulate easily - those lacking technical knowledge might be excluded

Question 32

Evidence of increasing political participation [3]

Answer 32

Pressure groups growing in numbers and membership Increased use of social media Increased use of direct action (STW Coalition)

Question 33

Argue that the UK is democratic [7]

Answer 33

Free and fair elections Free media with a number of independent sources Democratic institutions Freedom to vote Tolerance of all views - parties and pressure groups Parliament holds the government to account Rights and liberties protected by ECHR

Question 34

Argue that the UK isn't democratic [7]

Answer 34

Unelected institutions exist such as the HoL FPTP is unfair and elects government on a minority vote PM has prerogative rights No entrenched constitution Parliamentary sovereignty means liberties are at its disposal Power delegated to the EU Political participation in decline

Question 35

6 methods for improving UK democracy

Answer 35

``` Replacing the monarchy with a head of state Changing the voting system Introducing a second elected chamber Increased use of referendums Introducing a codified constitution Decentralising politics ```

Question 36

Arguments for and against replacing the monarchy with an elected head of state [3/3]

Answer 36

For - increase democratic legitimacy of the head of state - make the head of state democratically accountable - could improve political engagement Against - too much power to the governing party - UK loses a historic institution - could destabilise politics

Question 37

Arguments for and against a second elected chamber [2/3]

Answer 37

For - increase legitimacy of the second chamber - act as an effective check on government power Against - less independent of party politics - could check government excessively - could challenge the authority of the commons

Question 38

Arguments for and against reforming the electoral system [3/4]

Answer 38

For - new systems would be fairer and make votes more equal - HoC would be more politically representative - increase democratic legitimacy of MPs Against - would remove the MP-Constituency link - would make it harder for governments to be formed - voters may not accept it - unpredictable consequences

Question 39

Arguments for and against increased use of referendums [3/5]

Answer 39

For - increase political awareness - purer form of democracy - improve political education and participation Against - voter fatigue - issues too complex - voters react emotionally and irrationally - voters lose respect for representative institutions - encourage tyranny of the majority

Question 40

Arguments for and against introducing a codified constitution [3/3]

Answer 40

For - stop the drift towards excessive executive power - create more public engagement and awareness - rights and freedoms better protected Against - system loses flexibility - many political traditions destroyed - too much power to unelected unaccountable judges

Question 41

Arguments for and against decentralising politics [3/2]

Answer 41

For - local and regional government smaller and so more democratic - less tight party control over politics - strengthen local communities Against - not taken seriously could lead to low turnouts - increased tension between local and national government