Democracy and Participation key definitions

Legitimacy

The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely held agreements, such as a government’s right to rule following an election or a monarch’s succession based on the agreed rules.

Direct democracy

All individuals express their opinion themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf. This type of democracy emerged in Athens in classical times and direct democracy can be seen today in referendums.

Representative democracy

A more modern form of democracy through which an individual selects a person (and/or political party) to act on their behalf to exercise political choice.

Pluralist democracy

A type of democracy in which a government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations.

Democratic deficit

A flaw in the democratic process where decisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy, not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability.

Participation crisis

A lack of engagement by a significant number of citizens to relate to the political process either by choosing not to vote or to join or become members of political parties or to offer themselves for public office.

Slacktivism

People ‘think’ that they are political by posting political memes etc but this is not ‘real participation’

Franchise / suffrage

Franchise and suffrage both refer to the ability/right to vote in public elections. Suffragettes were women campaigning for the right to vote on the same terms as men.

Think tanks

A body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain topic(s) – to investigate and offer solutions to often complicated and seemingly intractable economic, social or political issues.

Lobbyists

A lobbyist is paid by clients to try to influence the government and/or MPs and members of the House of Lords to act in their clients’ interests, particularly when legislation is under consideration.

Corporation

A corporation is a large business organization that can often lobby or put pressure on government 

Judicial review

It is a type of court proceeding in which a judge (or judges) reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body or government and checks something is not taking away rights

Supreme Court

Highest court in the UK in place to continuously monitor human rights in the UK

Declaration of incompatibility

Could be the outcome of a judicial review - meaning the law or action being reviewed is incompatible with the Human Rights Act

Ultra Vires

A Latin term that means a member of the government is acting ‘beyond their powers’ - Could be the outcome of a judicial review 

Rights based culture

A rights-based culture is a society where human rights are the absolute priority, guiding all laws and policies, and at the centre of political thinking. Everyone is expected to be accountable for upholding them