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64 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is direct democracy? |
People decide on policy initiatives directly. E.g: (UK) Campaigns have to have over 100'000 signatures and be supported by an MP |
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What is representative democracy? |
Decisions are made by elected politicians on the behalf of constituents and in line with their political party |
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What are common features of direct democracy? |
Decentralised power to local communities Referendums Campaign groups Not voting for a representative |
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What are common features of representative democracy? |
Mandate - party's majority to run parliament and the country Manifesto - party policies Backbench MPs Parliamentary representation Elections |
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What is Burnean representation? |
Argues MPs should use their own judgement rather than the views of the electorate |
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What is parliamentary representation? |
MPs must condsider their own views, party leadership instructions, political ideology and their constituency |
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What are three arguments for direct democracy? |
Gives equal weight to all votes Removes need for trusted representatives Encourages political participation |
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What are three disadvantages of direct democracy? |
Impractical in large modern states with complex issues Open to manipulation by articulate speakers Many people won't take part |
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What are three advantages of representative democracy? |
Practical in large complex states Politicians from parties gives a wide choice - pluralism Reduces chance of 'tyranny of the majority' |
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What are three disadvantages of representative democracy? |
Politicians may be corrupt or incompetent Underrepresents minorities Causes reduced participation |
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What are the similarities of direct and representative democracy? |
National Referendum - direct vote on single issue - 1975, 2011, 2016 2015 Recall of MPs act - petition to call a by election if an MP is suspended (21 days) or imprisoned (needs 10%) |
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What are positive features of democracy? |
Free independent media Free market economy Regular free elections Multi-party competition Pressure groups Peaceful government transition Independent judiciary |
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What are features of a democratic deficit? |
Low voter turnout Underrepresents minorities Large media conglomerates Poor political participation Unelected head of state Uncodified constitution |
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What reasons are there for a crisis of participation? |
Decreasing voter turnout Decreasing party membership Complete rejection of politics |
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Why have UK citizens rejected politics? |
Corruption + Scandal Decline of social capital Less party range No life improvements Social groups ignored Politicians 'Lack Vision' Media control + Sensationalism |
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What are arguments against a crisis of participation? |
Rise of smaller parties Recent new campaigns and pressure groups Rising voter turnout Rise in party membership Rise in e-democracy |
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What is suffrage? |
The ability or right to vote in public elections |
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Which people are unable to vote? |
People under 18 EU citizens Members of the House of Lords Prisoners Those connected with corrupt/ illegal electoral practice |
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What is Legitimacy? |
A government accepted by people as having the right to rule over them - pass laws etc. |
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What was the the Great Reform Act of 1832? |
Abolished representation of underpopulated 'rotten boroughs' and gave vote to tenant farmers and smaller property holders 650'000 (5%) |
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What was the Second Reform Act 1867? |
Borough householders e.g. tradesmen + shopkeepers enfranchised 1-2 million (13%) |
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What was the Third Reform Act 1884? |
Rural householders e.g. farm workers, miners etc. enfranchised 5 million (25%) |
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What was the Fourth Reform Act 1918? |
All men over 21 and women over 30 enfranchised (75% of adult population) |
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What was the Equal Franchise Act 1928? |
Men and women terms become equal, both can vote at 21 (full adult suffrage) |
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What was the Fifth Reform Act 1948? |
End of plural voting - one person, one vote |
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What was the Sixth Reform Act 1969? |
Voting age reduced to 18 - reflecting changing attitudes in society about adulthood |
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What are current suggestions for further reform? |
Extending vote to 16/17 year olds Compulsory voting Votes for prisoners |
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What was the women's suffrage movement? |
Pressure group (WSPU) led by Emmeline Pankhurst that fought for womens' suffrage + rights in the late 19th/ early 20th century |
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What tactics did the suffragettes use? |
Heckling politicians Storming parliament Smashed windows Burnt buildings Fought police |
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What is unlock democracy? |
Founded in 2007 - Pressure group that campaigns for a more participatory democracy in Britain, founded upon a written constitution |
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What do unlock democracy do? |
Lobby politicians and parties Produce publications e.g. Podcasts - ' Radical solutions for Britain's Deliver open letters to House of Lords |
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Is Unlock Democracy successful? |
Failure - no significant changes made as a result of their actions Success - promote participation |
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What is a pressure group? |
Groups that advocate for change by placing pressure on those in power using a range of tactics such as lobbying |
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What is a sectional/interest group? |
A group that represents a particular section of society which aims to protect members' interests |
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What is a cause group? |
A group with open membersip that seek to advance a specific cause/issue or a group of related issues |
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What is a dual function group? |
Groups that appear both sectional but also campaign for issues beyond the simple interests of their members |
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What is an insider group? |
Groups accepted and listened to by those in political power - legitimate |
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What are the features of an insider group? |
Access to decision making Obey the law Don't promote radical ideas Represent wealthy/powerful groups Heirarchy / Structure |
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What is an outsider group? |
Groups that work outside governments' decision making processes and have no access |
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What are the features of an outsider group? |
Aim to influence public opinion Campaign Government-rejected agenda Outside the political climate Local / Ad-hoc / no structure May break laws |
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What is a think tank? |
Pressure group / policy or research institutes that take a particular ideological stance which influences policy |
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What is terrorism? |
Using unauthorized and illegal violence against a civilian population to achieve political ends and win support of a radicalised minority |
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What tactics are used by insider groups? |
Consultation and committee presence Formal MP links Professional lobbyists |
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What tactics are used by outsider groups? |
Publicity stunts Violence Boycotts Industrial Action (Strikes) Petitions Public demonstrations Direct Action Membership recruitment |
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What tactics are used by both insider and outsider groups? |
Targeting the Lords Media / Direct mail |
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What institutions do pressure groups target? |
Media Ministers Opposition MPs International Organizations The General Public |
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Why are pressure groups thought to be good for our liberal representative democracy? |
Provide access to small groups to politics and government Shows engagement in politics Allows freedom of speech Informs politicians on what the public are thinking Pluralism Educated people on politics |
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What are the disadvantages of pressure groups? |
Social groups may be unrepresented Insider groups have an advantage due to personal MP bias/ sponsorship Groups are often corrupt Group tactics go against the liberal democracy |
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What are features of lobbying? |
£2 billion industry Dominated by big business Gagging law - hit small groups Advice + Info to politicians Encourages participation Disproportionate influence |
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What are human rights? |
Rights for being human that are universal, immutable and cannot be taken away |
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What are civil liberties? |
Freedoms granted to you as a citizen by your nations government/constitution |
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What are examples of human rights? |
Right to life Right to a fair trial Right to access to healthcare Right to participate in politics |
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What are social rights? |
New and more effective rights built on 20 key principles, structures around 3 categories - Equal opportunity/Labour Social protection/inclusion Fair working conditions |
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Why do many people support the Human Rights Act? |
Written by British lawyers Rights failures are often from the government UK may lose legitimacy and effectiveness in speaking out about worldwide abuse |
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Why do many people support a British Bill of Rights? |
More fitting to British needs and traditions Allows a margin of appreciation Would impact the whole UK |
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What obligations do citizens have to the state? |
Respecting the rights of others Abiding by laws Using resources given Voting in elections |
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What are recent proposals to reform the system? |
Changing elections from Thursday to the weekend Allow people to vote anywhere in their constituency Allow voting to take place over several days Encourage postal voting |
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Yes, voting should be compulsory: |
Social duty and a right Produce a more representative parliament Politicians would have to run better campaigns |
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No, voting should not be compulsory: |
Voter's may place candidates in rank order in preferential voting systems Undemocratic to force people Wouldn't improve safe seats |
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What is a social movement? |
Usually politically radical and seek to achieve a single objective e.g. Black Lives Matter, Camps for Climate Action |
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What are the major milestones in the development of rights in the UK? |
Magna Carta - 1215 - Limited royal tyrannical rule European convention on Human rights - 1950 - Post-ww2 The Human Rights Act - 1998 The Equality Act -2010 |
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What are arguments to support the existence of a rights-based culture? |
All legislation must be compliant with the human rights act Judges can declare acts as incompatible with it (can't change it due to parliamentary sovereignty) Increased use of judicial review |
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What human rights challenges have been made in recent years? |
Max Mosely - 2008 - sex life in News Of The World Abu Qatada - 2013 - terrorism + deportation to Jordan Madonna + Guy Ritchie - 2000 - right to roam |
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What laws have been put in place to improve counterterrorism? |
Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs) - 2011 Blair's proposal - 14 to 90 days detention before being charged was defeated 'Snoopers Charter ' - companies can hold browsing history |
