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23 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is democracy?
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Government of the people, by the people, for the people
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What are the two different forms of democracy?
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Direct – exists where citizens are directly involved in decision making e.g. Ancient Greece, referenda.
Representative – representatives elected by people who take control of decision-making. |
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What are the advantages of direct democracy
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Advantages:
Genuine democracy Purest form of democracy rather than having someone interpreting your views. Legitimate government. End of professional politics. May influence more people to get involved in politics. (Personal development) Prevents cynicism about gov |
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What are the disadvantages of direct democracy
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Disadvantages
However, it is impractical. Unworkable in modern political conditions. How can such a high level of face to face interactions be achieved in societies that are composed of tens of hundreds of millions of people? Restricting their ability to carry out other duties and activities. Minorities would have no say. Potential to leave decision-making in hands of those least equipped to do so. |
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What are the advantages of representative democracy
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Advantages:
Political stability More practical – physically possible. Direct democracy only achieved in relatively small communities. Division of labour in politics. Puts decision-making in the hands of people with sufficient time and knowledge – it is their job. Government by experts. Representatives can be more rational e.g. emotive issue like cancelling of third world debt. |
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What are the disadvantages of representative democracy
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Disadvantages:
Causes voter apathy. There's a gulf between government and the people. Representative democracy places too much faith in politicians. Representative democracy is liable to distort public opinion by imposing their views on it. E.g. In America they use an electoral college to elect presidential candidates, and this requires delegates to represent their state and go directly vote for the president, however it can allow a delegate to ignore the state's choice of the candidate they choose and vote for who they want instead. |
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What are the main criticisms of democracy in the UK?
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FPTP system is unfair and not proportional, over-rep. for winners and under-rep. for losers. Supports regionalism -No prizes for coming second.
PM can stand for as long as they wish – we elect the party not the leader. “Elective dictatorship” – Lord Hailsham Parliamentary sovereignty – party with the majority can dominate and therefore pass whatever legislation they like. Party system is so central therefore model of representation can be undermined. MPs may represent their party, not their constituents. Not reflective of modern multi-cultural Britain – only about 100 women in 646 and under 1% ethnic minorities. Low turnout at elections raises questions about the mandate of govt. Nature of the second chamber (house of lords) – they are not accountable to us b/c not elected by us. |
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What is social representation?
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A representative body should be a microcosm of the community that it represents. Therefore, it would reflect the decisions that the whole community may make. e.g. The Jury system
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What is a referendum?
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it's a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy.
An issue which is referred to the people for popular vote. They may be used to raise issues for discussion rather than to decide or confirm policy questions. Referendums can be advisory or mandatory. A single issue vote Also can be called a Plebiscite, Proposition, Initative etc |
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Give six examples of the most important recent referenda?
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Devolution 1979 – Most Scots voted “yes” but 40% needed was not reached and it was unfavorable in Wales.
Devolution 1997 – 74% of Scottish voters said “yes” to devolution and 64% voted to allow new Scottish *Parlt to vary rate of income tax 3% up or down. Welsh referendum only 50.3% but this was enough. *Therefore, 1999 devolved govts took power. Irish Union referendum 1973 – 57% of electorate voted to remain in UK. EEC referendum 1975 – 36% of electorate in Scotland voted to remain in EEC. London referendum 1998 – Majority of Londoners voted in favour of London assembly. Referendum 2011 on electoral reform (AV) 32.1% voted yes and 67.9% voted no. Second national referendum. SNP to hold referendum on Scottish Independence, autumn 2014 |
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In what circumstances are referenda thought to be required?
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On Constitutional issues/changes – any change that alters the relationship between different parts of the state (e.g. devolution), or between citizens and the state.
When there is a history of conflict and an agreement is to be made. If our representatives are unable to come to a decision about an issue. If the govt feel that there will be much discontentment amongst the public if a decision is made without their consent. i.e. an issue that the people have strong opinions on. |
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What are the advantages of referenda?
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our most direct form of democracy.
People may feel more obliged to agree with decisions if they have contributed to decision being made e.g. devolution. If govt is divided over issue e.g. Euro, a referendum could avoid damaging splits. Could encourage people to become more politically involved – with declining turnout this could be beneficial. Political education Could prevent “elective dictatorship.” (Lord Hailsham) Reduced government power Responsive government Constitutional changes Decrease apathy |
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What are the disadvantages of referenda?
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Voters may make “wrong” decision if not well-informed on the issue. (elitist point of view)
Many may feel they do not understand therefore do not vote or feel it does not concern them e.g. fox-hunting. Media-driven age now can sway peoples’ decisions – unfair? Especially as many newspapers back particular parties. If turnout is low is result fair? Govt can decide when to hold referendum and the wording of question. (Strengthens government) Weakens Parliament (undermines Parliamentary Sovereignty) Irresponsible government Provides only a snapshot of public opinion |
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To what extent do the use of referenda undermine parliamentary sovereignty?
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YES If referendum is mandatory its result binds Parliament Therefore Parlt must go along with the result. This reminds us that sovereignty resides with the people.
YES Referendums can act as a form of entrenchment – can make it difficult for future Parlts to overturn decisions made by referendums. YES When referendums are used in situation of Parliamentary stalemate it gives the impression that Parlt. is not functioning as it should be. NO Parlt. can control wording and timing of referendum which can effect the result. NO In the case of advisory referendums the result can simply be ignored. |
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what are the features of democracy
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Voting- right to vote
Free media Free, fair and regular election Universal suffrage - the right of all adult citizen to vote, 'however adulthood is defines' Equal rights. Constitution. Checks and balances (checks power of individuals/institution. Political pluralism Use of representative |
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what is liberal democracy ?
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liberal democracy is a form of representative Democracy. in a liberal democracy, the right to rule is gains through success in regular and competitive elections, conducted on the basis of political equality. Liberal democratic regimes attempts to combine the 'liberal goal; of limited government with a 'democratic' commitment to election and popular participation
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what are the core features of liberal democracy ?
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Free, fair and regular elections that respect the principles of universal suffrage.
Competition for power between a number of candidates and a number of parties. Guaranteed civil liberties and individual rights. Constitutional govt based on formal, usually legal, rules. A healthy civil society - the media is free and groups enjoy independence from govt. A capitalist or private-enterprise economy. |
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what is a mandate ?
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The idea that the political party that wins a general election has received permission from the electorate to govern the country according to the promise it has made (manifesto)
( The higher the participation during an election, increases the legitimacy of the winners mandate) |
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Do we have a participation crisis ? ( YES)
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Voter turnout has decreased since 1950.
The turnout in 2001(59.4%), 2005 and 2010 (65%) were the lowest ever in the UK. Other forms of participation have decreased such as petitions and attendance at political meetings |
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Do we have a participation crisis ? ( NO)
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Voter turnout has increased since 2001 from (59.4%), to (65%) in the 2010 General election.
Some form of participation have increased such as boycotts and contacting media |
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Ways of enhancing democracy are ?
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A variety of reforms intended to strengthen democracy in the UK, and in particular promote political participation, have been proposed. these includes the wider use of forms of grass-roots or direct democracy, such as referendums and citizens' juries.
Providing more opportunities for the public to influence MP's and parliamentary debate; a reduction in the voting age; the introduction of compulsory voting and the wider use of digital democracy. |
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What is the difference between an election and a referendum?
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In an election you vote for a party or candidate, whereas in a referendum you vote on an issue. (yes/no option)
In an election your choice is based on a number of issues, but a referendum is just one issue. An election is a form of representative democracy and a referendum is a form of direct democracy. An election is always mandatory (legally required). A referendum can be advisory or mandatory. An election is deciding who holds power, a referendum is influencing those already in power. In an election you form government because it is a method of filling office. A referendum only has the power to influence those in power. |
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what are the advantages of lowering the voting age ?
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it would create a stronger political engagement from the young as ti would strengthen their interest and understanding and it would also help to re-orientate politics around issues more meaningful to younger voters Youths interest are no longer going to be ignored as this would give them greater attention on issues such as education.
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