How democratic is the UK?

overview

• need to ask two questions

  • what constitutes a democratic political system?

  • what constitutes a democratic society?

UK system of liberal democracy

• system of gov that accepts maj rule thru elections and focuses on individual rights that an elected gov cant easily or randomly remove, power n rights are usually defined by official constitution

features of a liberal democracy

• peaceful transition of power

• free elections

• fair elections

• widespread participation in politics

• freedom of expression and information

• rule of law

• protection of rights and liberties

• freedom of association

• a constitution

• an independent judiciary

peaceful transition

• those who lose power by democratic means accept authority of those who have won

• id font politics breaks down and non-peaceful conflict likely to ensue

• helps ensure that democ can hold gov to account and ensures leg of those who have won an election

Free elections

• cornerstone of democracy

• free means all adults free to vote and stand for office, universal sufferage

• if significant groups are excluded then elections aren’t truly free and democracy is flawed, elections also need to be free to ensure that everyone can exersise right to vote w out fear

• one way to achieve is secret ballot, if this and a strict adherence to these aren’t in place votes can be bought and sold and voters can be coerced into voting certain way, or not at all

fair elections

• means everyone has one vote and its equal to others, suggests safeguards in place to avoid electoral fraud and ballot rigging

• what may appear to be fair to some may not be to others, candidate who wins most votes said to win fairly but only won 25%. 75% didnt want them- starmer 80% didnt want him.

widespread participation in politics

• important that large proportion of whole population participates in politics, well-informed and active population can prevent gov being too dictorial,

• w out ppl participating in political process there’s a break down in communication between gov and governed

• turnout=

  • 2024= 59.7

  • 2019= 67.3

  • 2017= 68.8

freedom of expression and information

• fundamental features is right to express opinions and critisms gov, known as civil liberty and means ppl cant be arrested or persecuted for expressing negative opinions of those in power.

• also be free access to public info to enable ppl to check the gov n consider how well its governing

• few gov enjoy being scrutinised but what marks democ to disctatorship

• requirement implies free media and no gov censorship or interference, internet helps as allows free access for all tho weather or not info is accurate leads to questions abt validity.

• more stark in recent years w rise of fake news and conspiracy theories made harder to take publicly expressed views as being based on fact or truth

• eg- censorship under RIPA 2000- gov gained powers to intercept communications and monitor journalist sources, → threat press freedom and citizens ability to share info safely

• eg- counter-terrorism and social media regulation - proposal to force social companies to remove content deeming “extreme or misleading” → threatens digital free speech n publics right to info.

freedom of association

• links to freedom of expression, means freedom to form parties or pressure groups provided aims and methods are legal

• parties n pressure groups are vital for rep

• eg- public order act restrictions on protests, extinction rebellion or other activist networks faced bans or restrictions under section 14 of public order act → limit ability of ppl to gather n organise around shared cause.

protection of rights and liberties

• idea that rights and liberties of citizens should be firmly safeguarded, implies should be some kind of enforceable “bill of rights” or “basic laws” to protect rights

• European convention on human rights (ECHR)

• in uk HRA performs this role while equalities and HR commission operates in E+W to promote n protect HR

Rule of law

• basic principle that all citizens be treated equally under law and gov itself should be subject to same laws as citizens

• linked to concept of limited government and ensures no one can break law, if do held account same basis as everyone

independent judiciary

• key role of judiciary in a democ to ensure rule of law upheld, members must be independent from gov and process of politics

• ensure all indiv and groups in society are treated equally under the law and that the gov doesn’t exceed authority, means rights n liberties more likely to be upheld

constitution

• democ at risk if not firm limits to power of gov, w out there’s a possibility that gov will set aside demo principles for own purpose

• accept may occur in times of warfare and emergency not normally,

• usual way to set limits of gov power is to define in a constitution that’s enforced by forces of law