1.1.1: Current systems of representative and direct democracy

Give some examples of proposals trying to increase turnout at elections

-Change election day from Thursdays to weekends (as in mainland Europe) -Allow people to vote anywhere in their constituency rather than a particular polling station -Allowing voting to take place over several days -Encourage postal voting and allow electronic voting -Reduce voting age -Compulsory voting

Give some reforms to the UK democratic system that could increase turnout

-Change electoral system to more proportional one - minority parties might stand more if they had a chance of winning -Reform parliament to be more transparent and democratic so governments have to take account for actions -Devolve powers to delegated bodies further

List some democratic features of the UK.

-Devolved governments -Independent judiciary -Free and fair elections -Free media -Wide range of political parties and pressure groups

List some advantages of direct democracy.

-Equal weight to all votes - unlike representative system where constituency sizes vary meaning not all votes have equal value -Encourages political participation -Removes need for trusted representatives as people take responsibility for decisions -Sense of community and encourages genuine debate

List some disadvantages of direct democracy.

-Impractical in large, heavily populated modern state where decision-making is complex -Many people will not want to vote/feel qualified to take part in decision-making so political activists decide what happens -Open to manipulation by cleverest and most articulate speakers who will persuade people better -Will of majority is not mediated by parliamentary institutions, so minority viewpoints are disregarded

Give some arguments as to why voting should not be compulsory

-In a preferential voting system (number in order), might lead to voters just numbering in order -Undemocratic to force people -Politicians would still focus on marginal seat and neglect safe seats -Does not address why people do not vote

List some disadvantages of representative democracy.

-May lead to reduced participation as people give responsibility to politicians -Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites pursuing their own agendas, not truly representing the people -Minorities may still find themselves underrepresented as politicians are more likely to follow the views of the majority to secure election -Politicians are skillful in avoiding accountability, especially as elections are usually 5 years apart

List some advantages of representative democracy.

-Only practical system in large modern states with complex issues and need for rapid response (e.g. troop deployment) -Politicians form parties, bringing coherence and giving a real choice of representation. Pressure groups represent different interests, promoting debate and encouraging pluralist democracy -Reduces chances of minority rights being overridden by "tyranny of the majority" -Elections allow people to hold representatives to account

List some undemocratic features of the UK.

-Under-representation of minority viewpoints due to voting system - First Past the Post -House of Lords lacks legitimacy -Lack of protection of citizens' rights -Control of sections of the media by the wealthy

Give some arguments as to why voting should be compulsory

-Voting is a social duty - people should be engaged in the processes that affect their lives -More representative parliament -Politicians would have to run better campaigns to appeal to whole electorate -Still be legal to spoil one's ballot or a none of the above box could be provided

Give an example of dishonest MPs

2009 Parliamentary Expenses Scandal 5 MPs and 2 House of Lords Members were given prison sentences

What percentage of the UK belongs to one of the three main UK-wide political parties as of 2017? What was it in 1983?

2017 - 1.6% 1983 - 3.8%

What was the average turnout in the 5th May 2016 Local elections? Why?

33.8% Possibly because voters saw these as less powerful bodies that won't affect their lives.

Give statistics for Conservative party membership.

400,000 in mid 1990s 150,000 by 2016

Give statistics for Liberal Democrat party membership.

70,000 - early 2000s 49,000 - during coaltion 76,000 - 2016 82,000 - 2017

What was average turnout between 1945-77?

76%

What is a direct democracy?

A form of government in which citizens and express their opinion themselves. A system without representatives.

How is a wide range of political parties and pressure groups democratic?

Anyone can be a member and vote for this wide range of groups

Why is a free media more democratic?

Challenges government policy and exposes the misdeeds of politicians

What happens to citizens' authority in a representative system?

Citizens authority is passed on to their representatives

What is a representative democracy?

Citizens elect others to represent them in government

Give some issues with e-voting

Deprivation of other means of voting Cyberattack Impersonation of voters Access to computers for elderly and poor

Give an example of an e-petition as evidence for high levels of participation

Downing Street Website in 2007 against proposals for road-charging was signed by 1.8 million Petition to revoke Article 50 exceeded 5.3 million signatures by March 2019

Explain how there is a lack of protection for citizens' rights in the UK.

ECHR became UK law in 1998 (Human Rights Act) and arguably is inadequate for rights of citizens in relationship with state. Governments can "derogate from" articles of the act stating parts of it no longer have legal authority in certain situations

Is turnout lower or higher in "second-order" elections? What is a "second-order" election?

Lower. Examples of"Second-order" elections are devolved bodies and local council elections

Why is voter turnout important for government legitimacy?

Falling turnout means governments are elected on a reduced share of the popular vote which calls their mandate into question

Give two examples of turnout in by-elections

February 2017 - Stoke-on-Trent = 38.2% turnout -was 49.9% in the 2015 General Election February 2017Copeland(Cumbria) by-election = 51.3% - was 63.8% in 2015 general election

Give statistics for Labour party membership.

Fell to 190,000 while Labour were in government Rose to 510,000 by July 2016 under Corbyn

In a representative democracy, how does government gain its legitimacy?

From the consent of the people

In recent years, has there been an increase for membership and vote share for the smaller parties, or the main 3 parties? Give a statistic to show this.

Increase for smaller parties. 2015 shows record 24.8% of votes went to parties other than the main 3

Explain why the House of Lords lacks legitimacy.

It is unelected. Mainly appointed. Some by successive prime ministers, other party leaders and non-party crossbench peers nominated by an independent House of Lords Commission since 2000 ensures different professions and field but still lacks legitimacy

What was significant about the turnout for 2001?

It was the lowest since the end of WW1

Is turnout is by-elections higher or lower than general elections? Why?

Lower because they do not choose government.

Give two situations in which direct democracy is used within a representative system (UK examples).

National referendums: direct vote on a single issue - usually yes/no answer - EC/EU membership referendum in 1975 + 2016 and AV referendum in 2011 2015 Recall of MPs Act: allows a petition to be triggered if an MP is sentenced to be imprisoned or is suspended from the House of Commons for more than 21 days. If 10% of eligible voters in the constituency sign the petition, a by-election is called.

Where did direct democracy first originate?

Originated in ancient Athens

Give membership statistics for the SNP, Green Party and UKIP for December 2013 and July 2016

Political Party___Dec 2013___July 2016 SNP________________25,000______120,000 Green Party_____13,800_______55,000 UKIP_______________32,400______39,000

Give 2 arguments as to why people are not engaging in traditional politics

Political apathy - lack of interest or awareness Political hapathy - no need to push for political change

What are devolved governments? How is this system democratic? Give some UK examples

Powers transferred from Westminster - more decisions for local people: Scottish parliament, Welsh Assembly, Northern Ireland Assembly. Elected mayors for London and other cities

Give some examples of how participation has not been declining

Pressure group membership has been increasing, well-attended demonstrations (fuel prices, iraq war, fox-hunting, tuition fees), social media, e-democracy, e-petitions)

Which is the usual form of democracy in the modern world? (representative/direct)

Representative

What are the two main democratic systems?

Representative and direct democracy

Within the system of representative democracy, what are representatives?

Representatives are not delegates taking instructions from voters - they are expected to exercise their own judgement. If they do not satisfy the voters, they are removed at the next election

Give an example of media control by the wealthy. Why is media control by the wealthy undemocratic?

Rupert Murdoch owns numerous British newspapers so much of the population will get his biased opinion rather than a spread of opinions. This also only shows business interests of those that are unaccountable.

Give 2 examples of high participation in referendums

September 2014 ScottishIndyRef turnout=84.6% June 2016 EU referendum turnout=72.2%

Give one reason why the increase in new forms of political engagement is a concern.

So many people are still uninvolved in traditional politics

What is an independent judiciary and how is it democratic?

judiciary separate from other branches of government - upholds law and protects wide range of personal freedoms

How are free and fair elections democratic?

largely free from corruption and intimidation, supplemented by opportunities to vote in referendums