UK Politics and Core Political Ideas - Mrs Gaunt

Democracy

rule of the people

Monarchy

one person rule

Oligarchy

a few people’s rule (links to plutocracy with wealth)

Tyranny

despotic rule - wasn’t always bad

Aristocracy

the best people’s rule (originally didn’t mean best by birth)

Theocracy

government by religious leaders

Consitutinal monarchies

there is a government and elected parliament

What does democracy show?

representation, accountability and legitimacy

what happened in 1215

magna carter agreed

what happened in 1341

house of commons meeting starts

what happened in 1642

civil war between king and parliament

what happened in 1688

glorious revolution ends absolute power of monarch

what happened in 1800

about 5% of population have right to vote

what happened in 1867

reform act meaning now around 32% of the population can vote

what happened in 1918

representation of the people act so now some women can vote in general elections

what happened in 1928

all men and women over 21 can vote

what happened in 1969

voting age lowered to 18

what happens if there is no accountability for people’s policies, actions and decisions

representation becomes meaningless

what must representatives be responsible for

their policies, actions and decisions

fixed term parliament act of 2011

term limits for election at 5 years

snap election

if a party breaks a promise made in their manifesto, an election is called

social representation

characteristics of members of a representative body should be broadly in line with characteristics of a population

3 examples of members of a representative body

parliament, regional assemblies and local councils

what do representatives elected locally act on

national interests

constituency

the locality that elects a representative for parliament

three main parts of a representative democracy

representing the interests of your constituency, representing individual constituents and listening to views of constituents in relation to national interest

examples of functional representation

trade unions, social group

casual representation

things that cannot be represented by people but by causes eg enviroment

functions of a democracy

representation, accountability, legitimacy and participation

what is the benefit of the levels of representation

everyone in the UK are represented by at least 3 or more levels

national government

uk parliament and government

devolved government

government in wales or scotland, all having elected representative

metropolitan mayors

elected mayor in big cities

local councils

county or metropolitan councils depending on an area

parish or town councils

deals with local issues

3 features of a democracy

fair elections, accountability and freedom of expression

example of a metropolitan mayor

sadiq khan

what do local councils deal with

education, public transport