Politics

Yellow folder

What is direct democracy

When people vote directly for a change to happen, such as in referendums

What is representative democracy

When people elect a representative to make changes on their behalf which they would have likely made themselves (eg uk general elections)

What is democracy

Power to the people

What are the strengths of democracy

Gives powers to more groups of minorities represented, protects free speech

What are the flaws with democracy

Lack of understanding of politics, low voter trunout(58% in uk general election 2024), 

When were the three great reform acts?

1832,1867,1884

what did the three great reform acts do?

1st granted a right to vote to men paying yearly rental of £10 or more, made 67 new constituencies.2nd fav vote to men in burough and lodgers paying £10 yearly or more, reduced threshold in counties. 3rd gave to all men with annual rental of £10 or more 

When were the three representation of the people acts?

1918,1928,1969

What did they do

1918, gave vote to all men 21 and over and women over 30 who occupied land over £5 in constituentcy( or whose husbands did) 1928 gave to all women 21 and over. 1969 to all those 18 and over 

Who were the chartists

People with six points of people charter that would effectively turn Britain into full democracy(for men)

why should 16 year olds be allowed to vote

Some sixteen year olds work and pay tax yet get no representation, 1/5th of adolescents cote yet make up 16% of global population, could decrease political apathy

Why shouldn’t 16 yea roles be able to vote

: 16 year old can be easily influenced by parents, could take a long time to legislate, voter turnout may be low, more likely to be politically uneducated

Why should prisoners be allowed to vote?

Voting is a fundamental right, ECtHR ruled against blanket ban so uk must abide as rule of law applies. Removal of vote makes the prisoner a non person

Why shouldn’t prisoners be allowed to vote?

Undermines parliamentary sovereignty, serves as deterrent against law breaking, rights come with responsibilities, if you break someone else’s human rights should you have human rights? 

What are some examples of recent Uk referendums

2014 Scotland independence referendum(84.6% turnout) and 2016 EU referendum

Slacktivism definition?

Lower and lazier political engagement, such a liking a post on social media

What is an e-petition

Petitions to be signed online with a click- 10,000 for gove response 100,000 for a considered debate in parliament.

What are features of democracy

Elections,representation. legitimacy and accountability, participation rule of law and civil rights

Examples of e-petitions

2007-1.8 million signitures collected in a petition to stp plans to introduce road pricing- would have charged motorists for actual road use

2019- million signitures in a petition to revoke article 50 and have the UK remain in the EU

Example of the gender dimension in franchise

Suffragettes

Voter turnout over time examples?

1964-77%. 2005- 63% 2024- 59.7%

examples of referenuds turnout

AV referendum- 42%

Scottish independence referendum- 85%

Brexit- 72%

Good friday agreement- 82%

Partisan dealignment

Where individuals become less partisan and predictable in supporting one political party