Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
28 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What is democracy? |
. The people have influence, either direct or indirect, over political decisions . Government and all elected bodies or individuals are made accountable to the people . Government should operate within the rule of law, whereby all are equal under the law and government itself is subject to the same laws as the poeple . Elections should be held regularly, be free and fair, and there should be universal adult suffrage . People should be free to form political parties and other associations and to stand for elective office . The transition of power from one government to the next must be peaceful . The people should have access to independent information and opinion . The rights and freedoms of the people should be respected by government |
|
|
Direct democracy |
. The people make key decisions themselves . Only in classical Greece has a whole system been described as direct democracy . In its modern form, direct democracy uses initiatives and referendums . The UK is a representative democracy that uses direct democracy to resolve cosntitutional issues |
|
|
Representative democracy |
. The people elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf . Regular elections are a key feature . The system is characterised by representative assemblies such as parliaments, assemblies and councils . A govenrment is elected to make key proposals and arrange for their implementation . Government and elected representatives are accoutnbale to the people . Parties campaign to be able to represent the people in government . Pressure groups operate, representing sections of society and various causes from outside the political system |
|
|
Advantages of direct democracy |
. It is rule by the majority . It is the purest form of democracy - Direct democracy gives decisions legitimacy . The people should respect decisions to which they have directy consented . The so-called 'wisdom of crowds' suggests that large numbers of people will reach measured decisions . Decisions made by the people are entrenched (protected) and so cannot be easily overturned |
|
|
Advantages of representative democracy |
. Representatves can protect minorities agaisnt rule by the majority . Representatives may have more knowledge and judgement than the mass of the people and are less liekly to be swayed by emotion . The people should respect decisions made by those with superior judgement and knowledge . People may not understnad complex issues while elected representatives may be more understanding and reflective . Elected representatives can be sensistive to changing situations |
|
|
Pluralism and democracy |
. Power and influence are widely dispersed among the people and among sections of society - power is not excessivley concentrated in a few hands . There is tolerance, both legal and cultural, of a wide range of minorities, political beliefs, relgiions, lifestyles and cultures . Political parties are free to operate and campaign and there are many parties which citizens may choose to support . Pressure groups and campaign groups are tolerated and allowed to operate freely . There is a range of sources of independent information, news and opinion available to the people without interference by the state |
|
|
An assessment of democracy in the UK 1 |
. Peaceful transition of power - The UK is remarkably conflict free . Free elections - Virtually everyone over the age of 18 can vote . There is little electoral college fraud and there are strong legal safeguards . The House of Lords is not elected at all, nor is the head of state (monarch) . Fair elections - There are proportional systems in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and for European parliamentary elections . The first-past-the-post system for general elections leads to disproportionate results and many wasted votes - Governments are elected on a modest proportion of the popular vote . Widespread participation - There is extensive membership of pressure groups, which are free and active . There is also a growing level of participation in e-democracy . Despite a small increase in turnout in the 2017 general election and an increase in party membership, both voter turnout and party activism remain rather low compared with the past . Expression - The press and broadcast media are free of government interference . Broadcast media maintain political neutrality . There is free access to the internet . Much ownership of the press is in the hands of a few large, powerful companies, such as News International |
|
|
An assessment of demcracy in the UK 2 |
. Freedom of association - There are no restrictions on legal organisations . The UK is a pluralist society that tolerates many different groups, beliefs, lifestyles, religions and political movements . Some associations are banned but this is because they ae seen as being based on terrorism or racial hatred . Protection of rights and liberties - This is strong in the UK - The country is signed up the the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the courts enforce it . The House of Lords protects rights, as does the judiciary . Parliament is sovereign, which means rights are at the mercy of a government with a strong majority in the House of Commons . The ECHR is not binding on the UK Parliament . The rule of law - This upheld strictly by the judiciary - the right to judicial review underpins this . The judiciary is independent and non-political . Limited government and constitutionalism - Parliament and the courts ensure the govenrment acts within the law . There is no codified constitution so the limits to govenrment power are vague . Parliamentary sovereignty means the government's powers could be increased without a constituional safeguard . The prerogative powers of the prime minister are extensive and arbitrary |
|
|
The franchise |
. The franchise refers to the 'right to vote' - it has been fought for over many centuries but the UK currently enjoys 'univeral adult suffrage' . Everyone over the age of 18 has the right to vote in elections, save for a limited few such as convicted prisoners, the certified insanse and members of the royal family . No grous are discriminated agaisnt in electoral law . It is the responsibility of each individual to register to vote |
|
|
Franchise issues |
. To combat low turnouts, some advocate compulsory voting . Reducing the voting age to 16 has been proposed and was temporarily implemented in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence . Online voting has been suggested, although there are problems with security . Weekend voting may make voting easier and increase opportunities to do so |
|
|
Forms of political participation |
. Voting in elections . Joining a political party . Becomign an active member of a party . Standing for election to office . Joining a pressure group . Becoming active in a pressure group . Taking part in a political campaign online or on the ground . Signing a petition or e-petition |
|
|
Examples of falling participation and remedies |
. Low turnout at elecitons, especially among the young - Compulsory voting . Online voting . More political education in schools . Political apathy - Increased use of referendums to engage more people in political debate . Falling party membership - Electoral reform making more parties electable . Reduce party subscriptions (as Labour did in 2015) . Disillusionment with politicians and political parties - A change in the electoral systme might encourage support for smaller parties andf independent candidates . Shallow engagement with political issues ('slactivity') as a result of social media and online campaigns - More political education and politicians encouraging direct consultation with citizens |
|
|
Possible reasons for falling turnout at elections |
. Disillusionment with political parties, especially among younger people, and a falling commitment to parties (partisan dealignment) . People being more concerned with single issues than with broad policies . A lack of distinction between the parties sicne the 1990s . The electoral system results in large numbers of wasted votes (for smaller parties and in safe seats) and votes on unequal value (marginal vs safe seats) - It also results in disproportional results . With the emergence of referendums, voters prefer direct democracy |
|
|
Features of pressure groups - promotional groups |
. They are altruistic (selfless concern for others) in that they serve the whole community, not just their own members and supporters . They tend to concentrate on mobilising public opinion and putting pressure on government in that way . They often use 'direct action' in the form of public demonstrations, internet campaigns and sometimes civil disobedience . They seek very widespread support |
|
|
Features of pressure groups - Sectional groups |
. They are largely (not always) self-interested in that they seve the interests of their own members and supporters . Though they seek public support, they tend to seek direct links with decision makers (insider status) . Their mehtods tend to be mroe 'responsible' and they often take the parliamentary route to influence . They ususally have a formal membership |
|
|
Difference between pressure groups and parties |
. Parties seek to gain power or a share of power whereas pressure groups do not seek governmental power . Parties have to make themselves accountable to the electorate whereas pressure groups are not accountable except to their own members . Parties develop policies across all or most areas of government resposibility whereas pressure groups usually have narrower conerns and sometimes are concerned with only one issue . Parties usually have a formal membership and some kind of formal organisation whereas pressure groups often have supporters rather than members and sometimes have losse organisation |
|
|
Pressure group methods 1 |
. Lobbying - This is direct contact with important decision makers, policy makers and legislators . Sometimes prrofessional lobby organisations may be used . The method largely involves persuasion . It is used mainly by insider groups, such as the National Farmers' Union (NFU), British Bankers' Assocaiton (BBA) and Confederation of British Industry (CBI) . 'Mass lobbying' of Parliament is also used - e.g. Age UK on behalf of pensioners . Public campaigning - This involves large-scale demonstrations of support of an issue or a group . It is designed to mobilise public opinion and show the level of supprot to decision makers - e.g. environmental groups, hospital doctors and nurses, teachers . Donations to political parties - These are legal as long as they are declared - They are typically used by large corporations and employer organisations or by trade unions |
|
|
Pressure group methods 2 |
. Media campaigns - These often feature celebrities and mobilise public support - e.g. Justce for Gurkhas (Joanna Lumley) and resources and a higher profile for mental health care (royal princes Harry and William) . Civil disobedience - When other metods have failed, illegal mehtods may be used - e.g. Greenpeace (destroying GM crops), Animal Liberation Front (attacks on animal testing laboratories) . Social media and e-peitions - Social media can be used to raise awareness (animal welfare groups) and gain support, to organisae e-petitions (anti-fracking, anti-airport expansion) and local action . Legal action - Judicial reviews aim to prevent discrimination agaisnt women and minorities - e.g. the LGBT community, asylum seekers, women in employment |
|
|
Newer pressure group methods |
. Online campaigns . Write-in campaigns to MPs and other elected representatives . E-petitions . Local action using 'flash demonstrations' . Use of the Human Rights Act to protect minority interests |
|
|
Pressure groups enhance democracy |
. They help to disperse power and influence more widely . They educate the piblic about important political issues . They give people more opportunities to participate in politics without having to sacrifice too much of their time and attention . They can promote and protect the interests and rights of minorities . They help to call government to account by publicising the effect of policy |
|
|
Pressure groups may threaten democracy |
. Some groups are elitist and tend to concentrate power in the hands of too few people . Influential groups may distort information in their own interests . Those that are internally undemocratic may not accurately represent the views of their members and supporters . Finance is a key factor in political influence, so groups that are wealthy may wield a disproportionate amount of influence |
|
|
How pressure groups influence government |
. Insider pressure groups - e.g. Age UK - Close links with decision makers, lobbying ministers and Parliament, participation in policy committees . Outsider pressure groups - e.g. Greenpeace - Demonstrations of public support, publicity campaigns, civil disobedience, digital campaigning . Social movements - e.g. Occupy - Demonstrations, civil disobedience, online campaigning including e-petitions . Single-issue campaigns - e.g. Against a third Heathrow runway - Illegal obstruction of the airport, digital campagins, media respresentatives including celebrities, lobbying Parlaiment, recruting sympathetic local MPs . Trade unions and professional associations -e.g. British Medical Association - Strikes, non-cooperation and demonstrations, lobbying Parliament, using sympathetic MPs . Companies and industries - e.g. Starbucks - Negotiating with government for favourable treatment |
|
|
Types of think tanks |
. Neutral think tanks: ResPublica - general policy issues . Chatham House - international affairs . Centre for Social Justice - policy on welfare issues . Demos - current political issues . 'Left-wing' think tanks: Fabian Society - issues mainly concerning social justice and equality . Institute for Public Policy Research - various left-wign policy ideas . 'Right-wing' think tanks: Adam Smith Institute - promoting free market solutions to economic issues . Centre for Policy Studies - promoting ideas popular in the premiership of Margaret Thatcher . 'Liberal' think tanks: Liberty - promoting issues concerning the protection of rights and liberties . Reform - conerning policies on welfare, public services and economic management
|
|
|
Sources of rights in the UK |
. Common law - This has developed over many centuries - These are rights which have been recognised as existing and commonly enforced . They are confirmed by judicial precedent - judgements made in the courts and enforced by lower courts, e.g. the rule of law guaranteeing equal treatment under the law, habeas corpus (freedom from imprisonment without trial), rules relating to freee trial . Statutes - Parliamentary law may guarantee rights . e.g. the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (granting the right to access official information, the Equality Act 2010 (guaranteeing freedom from unfair discrimination) . The Human Rights Acts - This brought the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law - a wide range of rights and freedoms are guaranteed . European Union law (until 2019) - This guaranteed a wide range of social and economic laws - this will probably lapse when the UK leaves the EU |
|
|
Strengths of rights protection |
. There is a strong common law tradition . The UK is subject to the European Convention on Human Rights . The judiciary has a reputation for being independent and upholding the rule of law even agaisnt the expressed wishes of government and Parliament . The principle of equal rights is clearly established |
|
|
Weaknesses of rights protection |
. Common law can be vague and disputed - it can also be set aside by parliamentary statutes . Parlaiment remains sovereign and so can ignore the ECHR or can even repeal the Human Rights Act . There is increasing pressure on government, as a result of international terrorism, to curtail rights in the interests of national security . The right to privacy, the right of association and expression as well as freedom from imprisionment without trial are all threatened |
|
|
Individual rights conflicts with collective rights |
. Freedom of expression vs The rights of relgious groups to not have their beliefs satirised or questioned . The right to privacy vs The right of the community to be protected from terrorism by security services which may listen in on private communications . The right to press freedom vs The right of public figures to keep their private lives private . The right to demonstrate in public places (right of association and free movement) and thus cause disruption vs The right of the community to their own freedom of movement . The right to strike in pursuit of pay and employment rights vs The right of the community to expect good service from public servants who are paid from taxation |
|
|
Pressure groups concerned with rights |
. Liberty: probably the best-known group, it is a major campaigner and think tank . Unlock Democracy: this groups is concerned with many constitutional reform issues, among which are methods of strengthening rights protection, including a codified constitutio containing a bill of rights . Amnesty International: this is most conerned with the treatment of political prisoners abroad, but also concerns itself with the abuse of government power in the uK in the area of political rights . The Fawcett Society: campaigns for equal rights for women . JUSTICE: this is largely a lawyers' group campaigning for rights protection, especially in the area of law enforcement and trials |
