Democracy vocab list

Question 1

Accountability

Answer 1

• The fact or condition of being held responsible

Question 1

Civil liberties

Answer 1

-Being subject to laws established for the good of the community - especially regarding the freedom of action and speech

Question 2

Civil society

Answer 2

• Society concerned as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective activity

Question 3

Common law

Answer 3

• English law derived from custom and judicial (court) precedent rather than written law (statutes)

Question 4

Decentralisation

Answer 4

• Transfer of control of an activity or organisation to several lord offices or authorities - not a single power

Question 5

Democratic deficit

Answer 5

• When democratic organisations don’t fufill the principles of democracy in practice

Question 6

Direct democracy

Answer 6

• Policies and law decided by the public electorally rather than a body of elected representatives

Question 7

E-democracy

Answer 7

Digital democracy using electric forums

Question 8

Electoral mandates

Answer 8

Someone who can carry out a particular policy or task as they are elected to

Question 9

Elitism

Answer 9

The belief that a society or system should be led by the elite

Question 10

Formal equality

Answer 10

Everyone is giving the same opportunity regardless of a person’s circumstance

Question 11

Franchise and group politics

Answer 11

The right to vote in public elections

A party

Question 12

Hyperpluralism

Answer 12

When multiple groups or factions become so politically strong the government is unable to function

Question 13

Legitimacy

Answer 13

Conformity to the laws/rules

Question 14

Limited government

Answer 14

There should be legal constraints on the power of political authorities - especially with respect to individual rights

Question 15

Lobbyists

Answer 15

People who sell political information/advice

Question 16

Manifesto

Answer 16

A public declaration of policy and aims especially one issued before an election by a political party

Question 17

Participation crisis

Answer 17

When a large proportion of the population do not engage in the political process

Question 18

Pluralism and a pluralist democracy

Answer 18

A coexistence of 2+ sources of authority

A political system where there is more than 1 centre of power

Question 19

Promotional group

Answer 19

Organisations campaigning for a specific cause of objective and promoting approaches

Question 20

Redress of grievances

Answer 20

The right to make a complaint to/or seek the assistance of government without fear of punishment

Question 21

Representative democracy

Answer 21

When elected officials debate and pass legislative on behalf of the general public

Question 22

Sectional group

Answer 22

A PG that promotes the interest of a particular department

Question 23

Suffrage

Answer 23

The right to vote in political elections

Question 24

Think tanks

Answer 24

An organisation that researches for bill ideas and amendments for the government