current systems of democracy

2 main types of democracy and quick definition

• direct democracy- all individuals express opinions themselves not thru reps, can be seen today in referendums

• representative democracy- more modern form, individual selects a person to act on behalf to exercise political choice.

Direct democracy

• form of a referendum, common in EU and some states in USA

• should be seen as an addition to a rep democracy not separate system, can add great legitimacy to the decisions politicians made

• some decisions so vital so unsuitable for rep to make them that they’re left to the ppl,

• size and nature of modern politics make direct democracy impracticable and so it cant be considered as alternative to rep democ

direct democracy - adv + disadv

• + purest form, ppls voices clearly heard

• + can avoid delay and deadlock in political system

• + fact that ppl are making a decision gives it great legitimacy

• - lead to “tyranny of the majority” where winners ignore interests of minority and imposes smt detrimental to them

• - ppl may be to easily swayed by short-term, emotional appeals by charismatic individuals

• - some issues may be too complex for ordinary citizens to understand

Representative democracy

• most common form found today

• most common way of choosing rep is to elect thru formal competitive election process, if reps x elected in a vote w some degree of choice calls democ into question

• ensures those elected to power and responsibility must be held to account by the ppl, accountability is essential if reps are to act responsibly and in interests of ppl and stops party becoming elective dictatorship

• at election time both MP and gov held accountable, during election campaign opp parties highlight shortcoming of the government and offer own alternative

• there are diff types of representation - social rep, rep national interest, constituency rep, occupational or social rep, party rep, casual rep

social rep

• implies the characteristics of members of rep bodies, whether national parl, regional assemblies or local councils, should be broadly in line with characteristics of the population as a whole.

• in other words- should be close microcosm of society as a whole and “look like” that society, eg js over half = women, good range of ages and ethnicities

• difficult to achieve and UK parl falls short.

rep the national interest

• rep may be elected locally or regionally if they sit in national parl, expected to rep interests of the nation as a whole and do what believe is right not what ppl want

• may clash w local constituencies they rep so have to resolve issues in own way, eg- starmer gaza ceasefire vote, initially resisted calling for full ceasefire instead backing a “humanitarian pause”, constituents had moral n emotional pressure for ceasefire, Starmer wanted to remain diplomatic → some MP defied party leadership → mp balancing role to rep and trustee role (own judgement)

Constituency rep

• locality that elects a rep in UK national politics is known as a constituency , idea that ppl in geographical area will have similar social and economic concerns that a rep will speak abt in the elected body, main focus is on local issues, such rep imply three things

  • rep interests of constituency as a whole like Tony vaughan 2025- critised own party asylum policy saying too harsh bc constituency heavily affected by migration issue strong concerns abt how asylum seekers are treated → he spoke out in parliament n media vs it → reflect concerns n experiences of local area, prioritised constituency over party loyalty.

  • rep interest of individual constituents often described as redress of grievances ( MP pursuing grievance that constituent may have vs a public body usually claim unfairly treated) eg- Naz shah- windrush scandal, indiv wrongly detained, denied healthcare n threaten w deportation, took indiv casework inc challenging home office n support claims for compensation → use position to seek justice n fair treatment

  • rep listens to views of constituents when deciding a national issue, can lead to another dilemma, what if elected rep doesn’t personally agree w maj of constituents.

Party rep

• all modern democ characterised by existence of political parties, vast majority of those seeking n winning elec members of political party, unusual to find many independent reps who do not belong to party

• at election time parties state policies that are in manifesto, follows that members of a party who r seeking to be elected will campaign based on parties manifesto, means they r rep party.

occupational or social rep

• some elected representatives not only constituency or region but also particular occupational or social group,

• eg- Zara sultana young ppl+ renters, issues like- rising rent, cost of living crisis and student debt she campaigns on housing affordability, speaks on behalf of yg n renters → goes beyond constituency focus on wider group w shared interest.

casual rep

• when rep bodies aren’t rep ppl but more ideas, principles and causes, called casual rep

• in a sense this rep whole community in that beliefs and demands involved are claimed to benefit everyone not js particular group

• typical causes= environmental protection, indiv rights and freedom, greater equality and animal rights

• most casual rep is carried out by pressure groups- CND, campaign for nuclear disarmament, opposition to nuclear weapons, → reps moral/political cause not a social group

advantages of a representative democracy

• rep can develop expertise to deal with matters the public does not have the time or knowledge to deal with

• rep can be held to account for their actions at election time

• rep have time to deal with a variety of complex matters leaving public free to get on w lives

• in large modern country, only practical way to translate public opinion into political action

disadvantage of rep democracy

• rep may not act in best interests of constituents

• may be difficult to hold rep to account between elections

• allowing voters to delegate responsibility to rep can lead to public disengaging from social issues n other responsibilities

• rep bodies can be unrep and may ignore concerns and needs of minority groups

is direct democ a better form of democ

• adv of direct

  • purest form of democ, voice of ppl

  • decisions made directly by ppl have more authority

  • decisions made by ppl more diff for future gov to change/cancel

  • direct democ can help educate ppl abt political issues

• adv of rep democ

  • elected rep may have better judgment than mass of ppl

  • elected rep may be more rational and not swayed by emotion

  • rep can protect interests of minority groups

  • elected rep may be better than general public.