democracy and participation

what is a representative democracy?

when the voters elect politicians to make decision on they behalf by giving them their mandate through the GE

what is the advantage of the representative democracy in terms of politicians?

govt is carried out by politicians who are required to be well informed in the political issues. for example weir starter was an expert in law and Rachel Reeves was a top economist before she became the Treasury Chancellor

what is the disadvantage in terms of representation of groups?

Minority isn’t likely to be the first priority

another disadvantage?

MPs might have other jobs so the won’t really focus on their job as an MP

RLE for it?

Sir Geoffrey Cox was critiqued for earning 900,000 for his other job

what is a direct democracy?

a form of democracy where decisions are made directly by people

what are the types of direct democracy?

referendums

electronic petitions

recall of MPs

RLE for electronic petitions?

in 2020 Marcus ashford endchildfoodpoverty gained over 1.1 million votes and was considered in the Westminster and the government provided food to kids during the covid

RLE for the recall of MPs?

if an MP was imprisoned or suspended from the House of Commons then at least 10% of the constituency could vote in the petitions and trigger a by election

2019 Peterborough MP Fiona Onasanya was sentenced to jail for perverting the court of justice and 25% of her constituency asked for a by election

what is legitimacy?

a right to represent people

what is the participation crisis?

when people are disengaged in politics and are apathetic towards it

RLE for party membership

labour — 1953 1,005,00 in 2025 309,000

reform 2021 115,000 in 2025 227,592

arguments for compulsory voting?

higher turnout and more legitimacy

more political participation

arguments against compulsory voting?

a right to speak

might feel overwhelming due to having limited knowledge of making a political decions

what is franchise/ suffrage?

a right to vote

what was the reform act 1832 and 1867

people who own a property could vote

Representation of people act 1928

vote for men and women aged 21 and over

representation of people act 1969

all men and women over 18

what is a pluralist democracy?

different groups in society have power and influence to be bale to sway the government in their favor

what is a pressure group?

different groups in society have power and influence to be bale to sway government in their favor