Democracy and Participation

key terms

What is a representative democracy?

A form of democracy in which voters elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf. These representatives are then held accountable to the public in regular elections.

What is a Lobbyist?

Represents the interests of a particular group or cause and seeks to influence politicians in its favour.

What is direct democracy?

A form of democracy in which citizens themselves, rather than their representatives, make political decisions. The most significant modern example of direct democracy is a referendum

Participation crisis

A point at which the public have become disengaged from politics and voting levels have fallen so low that the legitimacy of elected governments can be questioned

What does Legitimacy mean?

Legitimate authority means power that has been legally acquired and is excel used according to the rule of law. A dictator can claim power but not legitimate power.

Democratic deficit

When there is so little Democratic participation by the public and so little trust in political institutions that only a minority of citizens engage in politics. Consequently, elected governments can no longer claim legitimacy.

Franchise/suffrage

The right to vote. throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the franchise was gradually extended so that now the UK has universal adult suffrage. This means that all people over the age of 18 have the right to vote in public unless they are mentally incapacitated, in prison or in the House of Lords.

Think-tank

A groups established to generate ideas. Political parties work closely with like-minded think tanks to develop policy