Democracy and Participation

Representation of the people act (Great reform Act)

Extended the vote to all men who met property requirements, abolished "rotten boroughs," and increased the electorate by 2/3.

Ballot act

Introduced the secret ballot in the UK.

Equal Franchise act (representation act)

Lowered the voting age for women and abolished property qualifications, establishing universal adult suffrage.

Suffragists

Peaceful women's suffrage movement led by Millicent Fawcett, focused on raising issues in Parliament, petitions, and public support.

Suffragettes

Militant women's suffrage movement led by Emmeline Pankhurst, embraced civil disobedience and direct action to draw attention to their cause.

Participation crisis

Notion that there is a crisis in citizen involvement in processes aimed at influencing government and shaping politics, undermining democracy's legitimacy.

Good Friday Agreement

Ended the "troubles" in Northern Ireland, establishing a new parliament and government with power shared between Republicans and Loyalists.

Trade unions

Groups of employees who join together to maintain and improve working conditions.

Direct action

Political action that bypasses traditional channels (such as Parliament), often through protests aimed at forcing change.

Civil disobedience

Justified law-breaking done to create a more just and equal society.

Democratic deficit

Flaw in the democratic process where decisions are made by people who lack legitimacy.

Constitution

Set of rules and principles for a government within a state, outlining relationships between different parts of the political system and between the government and the people.

Initiative

Gives people the power to propose new laws or amend the constitution, with a subsequent vote on the proposal.

Recall elections

Allows the voting public to trigger a special election to remove a representative before the next scheduled election.

Constituency

An area where voters elect a Member of

by election

 take place when a seat in the commons becomes empty between elections.

Franchise/ Suffrage

right to vote in public elections

Interest groups

represent and defend the interests of a group (workers, ethnic or religious groups ect)

Cause groups

based on shared attitude or values rather than a common interest. Large range of cause groups (charity, poverty reduction, education, environment)

insider groups

regularly consulted by gov. they work within the decision-making process. They use their influence rather than civil disobedience or direct actions.

outside group

Is not consulted by government and have no links to internal decision making. Usually try to influence via media, public opinion campaigns and protest politics.

think tank

group of experts who provide advice, ideas or proposals for problems. Using detailed evidence, links with politicians and the media, they can help shape polices. While they can lean left or right, most claim to be neutral.

Lobbyist

  individuals or firms paid by a client to influence MPs of a Lord to act in that client’s interest, specifically when legislation is under consideration.