Democracy & Participation ( + Rights in context ) Flashcards
(12 cards)
Direct Democracy Examples
- 2016 Brexit Referendum :
TO : 72%
Result : 52% voted to leave the EU - 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum :
TO : 85%
Result : 55% voted to remain in the UK - 1998 Good Friday Agreement Referendum :
TO : 81%
Result : 71%
Petitions :
“Revoke Article 50” Petition received 6 million signatures, reflecting public engagement.
Representative Democracy Examples
Parliamentary Representation :
The UK Parliament consists of 650 members , each representing a constituency.
General Elections TO :
2019 - 67%
2024 - 60%
Devolved Legislatures :
- Scottish Parliament : 129 MSPs
- Senedd : 60 MSs
- NI : 90 members of Legislative Assembly ( MLAs ).
Pressure Groups Examples
Insider Groups :
- British Medical Association ( BMA )
Represents doctors and has significant
influence on health policy.
Outsider Groups :
- Extinction Rebellion
Known for direct action campaigns on climate
change.
- Stop the War
Organised mass protests against the Iraq war in
2003.
Impact :
Greenpeace campaigns have influenced UK environmental , including commitments to reduce plastic waste.
Party Membership & Activism Examples
Party Membership Trends :
- Major parties have seen fluctuating membership numbers.
- The Labour party experienced a surge in membership during Corbyn’s leadership , reaching over 500k members in 2016.
- The Conservative party’s membership was estimated at around 180k in 2019.
Youth Involvement :
- Movements like Momentum have mobilised younger members within the Labour party.
Digital Democracy Examples
Social Media Campaigning :
- In the 2019 General Election , political parties extensively used platforms like Twitter and Facebook to engage voters.
Online Voting :
- While not yet implemented in the UK , discussions continue about its potential to increase TO.
Digital Campaigning :
- Movements like BLM have utilised online platforms to organise and raise awareness.
Democratic Deficit Examples :
Low TO in Elections :
- 2024 - TO of 60% highlights concerns about public disengagement.
Unelected Elements , e.g. HoL :
- Consists of appointed members , including life peers and bishops , totalling around 800 members.
Electoral System Issues :
FPTP can result in disproportionate representation , e.g. in 2015 , UKIP received 12% of the vote but only won 1 seat.
Rights Enshrined in Law Examples
HRA 1998 :
Incorporates the ECHR into UK law.
- Article 10 : Freedom of Expression
The Sun vs UK 2001 wanted to uphold the freedom of the press but were forced to balance this against privacy rights.
- Article 5 : Right to Liberty & Security
Belmarsh Detainees Case 2004 , the infinite detention of foreign suspects was ruled incompatible with Article 5.
Equality Act 2010 :
Protection against discrimination based on race , gender , disability , etc.
- Lee vs Ashers Baking Company 2018 balanced freedom of expression and what is considered discrimination.
Civil Liberties Examples
Freedom of Assembly : Protected under the HRA 1998 , e.g. BLM protests in 2020 , balancing the right to protest with public order concerns.
Right to Privacy : e.g. Government surveillance programs like Snooper’s Charter ( Investigatory Powers Act 2016 ) , raising debates over privacy versus security.
Rights in Conflict Examples
Freedom of Expression vs Hate Speech :
- R vs Lennon 2006 - Conviction for sending offensive emails , showing limits to free speech.
Right to Protest vs Public Order :
- Extinction Rebellion protests in London ( 2019 ) , where arrests highlighted tensions between activism and public order.
Individual Rights vs Public Security :
- A and Others vs Secretary of State for Home Department 2004 , Detention without trial under anti - terror laws declared unlawful.
Rights of Marginalised Groups Examples
LGBTQ+ Rights :
- Legalisation of same - sex marriage in England and Wales through the Same - Sex Marriage Act 2013.
Women’s Rights :
- Equal Pay Act 1970 , now part of the Equality Act 2010 , addressing pay disparities.
- BBC Gender Pay Gap Controversy 2017 highlighted ongoing inequalities.
Disability Rights :
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995 , now Equality Act 2010 , protecting against workplace discrimination.
Judicial Protection of Rights Examples
Judicial Review :
- Miller vs Secretary of State for Exiting the EU 2017 , affirmed the need for parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50 , upholding the rule of law.
Supreme Court Rulings :
- Miller vs PM 2019 , SCOTUS ruled Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament unlawful , protecting democratic principles.
Challenges to Rights Examples :
Proposed repeal of the HRA 1998 :
Conservative party proposals to replace it with a British Bill of Rights , raising the concerns about the weakening of protections.
Counter - terrorism Measures :
Terrorism Act 2000 allowed stop - and - search powers , criticised for disproportionate use against ethnic minorities.
