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representative democracy definition
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
characteristics of a representative democracy
they must represent the interests of all their constituents
constituents decide whether they stay in the position or not
MPs listen to the need of their constituents
MPs act to their best judgement → needs + wants of their constituents and the manifesto of their party
examples of countries that do not have a representative democracy
North Korea → dictatorship
Russia → oligarchy
China → communist
Athens was a direct democracy
what is direct democracy
when all constituents vote for the matter individually rather than having a representative make the decision for them
advantages of a representative democracy
it makes use of professional politicians who are well educated and informed on political processes/issues
allows a balancing of multiple interests in the ‘public interest”
MPs have to take into account the impact on their constituents, otherwise they will not be reelected, meaning they are more likely to focus on how it affects everyone
disadvantages of a representative democracy
MPs often have a disconnect from the general public, meaning they may misrepresent them (many of parliament are white middle class men)
many MPs have other interests (e.g. second jobs), resulting in a conflict of interests, which may lead to a misrepresentation or biased vote
conservatives and labour dominate parliament due to FPTP so many parties do not gain appropriate representation
what was the average age at election for MPs in 2019
49.7 years
how many MPs are in parliament
650
how many MPs in parliament were from a minority ethnic group in 2019
65, 23%
what percent of the uk is an ethnic minority
18%
what are the different models of representation
trustee model
delegate model
mandate model
resemblance model
trustee model
the representative acts as the person who is vested with formal responsibility for the affairs of others
such representation is based upon the considered judgement of the legislator
the elected representative is ‘trusted’ to make the right judgement
delegate model
constituents elect their representatives as delegates for their constituency
essentially, the representative acts as the voice of those who are not present
(constituents tell them what to vote for)
mandate model
constituents elect their representatives and consequently provide them with a mandate to carry out certain policies that they have campaigned on
resemblance model
this model focuses on who represents the electorate, and considers how representative legislators are in terms of such factors as gender and race
which model of representation does the UK use
trustee model
what negative impact may direct democracy lead to (e.g. Swizerland)
apathy or ‘hapathy’
lower turnout
less people are educated on decisions being made
percentage turnout in 2019 election for Swizerland
45%
types of direct democracy
referendums
electronic petitions
consultative exercises
open primaries
election for the leadership of political parties
recall of MPs act 2015
strength of direct democracy
no wasted votes, so there is equal weight to all votes as one person is one vote
satisfaction of citizens decisions being enacted. trust in the system of government. pride in being a citizen
accountability for the outcomes rests with the people themselves
higher participation in the decision making means taking the laws seriously
weaknesses of direct democracy
impractical with modern population sizes. no time to participate/ don’t want to/ not interested
demagogues can manipulate voters to make poor decisions (decisions that don’t benefit citizens)
could be corrupt through bribery of votes
tyranny of the majority - minorities are ignored
democratic deficit
when a democracy is not operating effectively because there is a lack of accountability among political bidies and not all citizens can claim equal influence over political decision making
change in turnout from 1974 (feb) to 2001
78.8% to 59.4%
ways to measure democratic deficit
stable results
political debate
trust in MPs and institutions
free media
electoral systems
protection of individual and minority rights
free and fair elections
real choice to voters
regular elections
accountability
freedom to associate and assemble
freedom to protest
scope for change
2019 general election turnout
67.3%
2001 general election turnout
59.4%
2021 dutch general election turnout
78.7%
why might elections suggest democratic deficit
voter ID restrictions
marginalised communities
why might trust in MPs suggest a democratic deficit
undermines representative democracy
Owen Paterson → Randox scandal (lobbying), split loyalty
why might participation suggest democratic deficit
declining participation in comparison to other countries
18-25 year olds are voting even less → suggests a further declin
how may elections oppose a democratic deficit
can call no-confidence votes in PM
real choice of parties (however since 1922 there have only been two parties in power)
why the right to protest opposes democratic deficit
human rights act 1998, freedom of speech and right to assemble/associate
however, recent legislation means police have more power to stop protests etc.
example of constituents calling by-election
Christopher Davies
feburary 2019
2 accounts of false expense claims
19% of constituents signed petition
he retained whip but was removed as mp
what was the great reform act 1832
open franchise to middle class
the industrial revolution meant that business owners demanded the vote
what was the reform act 1867
extended franchise to working class households
now homeowners can vote
what was the representation of the peoples act 1918
extended franchise to all men over 21 and all women over 30
what was the representation of the peoples act 1928
both men and women over 21 can vote
what was the representation of the peoples act 1969
changed the voting age from 21 to 18
what was the voting age reduction bill
to reduce the voting age to 16 and over
did not become law
happened in 2008
what was the Scottish independence referendum 2014 (franchise)
16 and 17 year olds can now vote
reasons the voting age should be reduced to 16
16 year olds already exercise significant responsibility (sexual relations, marry, pay tax, join the army)
there is an introduction to citizenship lesson in school, so students are educated
national citizen service encourages 16 year olds to have a stake in society
in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum 75% of 16 and 17 year olds voted
reasons to expand franchise
stake in society
other responsibility
education
increased participation
why 16 and 17 year olds should not be able to vote
claims about what they can do at this age is misleading, as many need parental permission
not responsible enough to buy alcohol
human rights say children should be treated as such. being able to vote means they can engage in all adult activities which conflicts their rights as children
most 16 and 17 year olds are still in full/part time eduction
voting turnout among 18-24 year olds is the lowest
they do not have adult life experience to base their vote on
labour party has closely identified itself with the youth vote
voting turnout for 18-24 year olds in 2006
55.3%
voting turnout for 18-24 year olds in 2021
46%
arguments in favour of giving prisoners the vote
it upholds democratic principles. Britain is built on a system of universal suffrage and denying prisoners the vote undermines that.
those in prison are most likely to come from low income, minority groups, so this may be discriminatory
it supports rehabilitation, by not allowing them the vote, it marginalises them even more
it would be compliant with international law. ECHR says that a blanket ban on prisoners voting is a violation of article 3 protocol 1
arguments against giving prisoners the vote
rights are removed as a punishment. they are in prison so should lose some civil rights
public opinion is opposed to it (YouGov pol)
it is very impractical
what piece of data suggests that the public is opposed to prisoners being able to vote
YouGov pol in 2012 shows 8% says they should vote and 63% says they should not
purpose of pressure groups
participation (makes people want to get involved in voting)
representation
education
what is a pressure group
collective groups, with and opinion on a given issue that they will ‘pressure’ the government on
features of an outsider group
tends to be far more aggressive and radical
their cause may not always be rational
less able to communicate with the government
features of a sectional/interest group
community to that group
clearly defined interest
could promote division
ignores issues of wider importance
too many pressure groups (too specific) → dilution of politics
features of cause/promotional groups
can represent large groups of people → allows people to get involved and feel included
can promote participation as these matters tend to impact everybody
causes may not be the most important
features of an insider group
specialist information allows them to educate others
government being educated can push the cause forwards
work with gorvernment so their goal is easier to achieve
why is mind an effective pressure group
insider status
has celebrity ambassadors
specialist knowledge
number of members in RSPB (royal society for the protection of birds)
1.2 million (larger than all political parties combined)
two forms of lobbying
in house lobbying →when groups employ full time lobbyists to direct their attempts to influence the government
lobbyists who work for lobbying firms. these firms take on contracts to try to influence the government in a certain way
notable lobbying firms in the uk
Bellenden
Teneo
Connect communications
lexington communications
which act regulates the use of lobbyinsts
the Lobbying Act 2014
benefits of pressure groups
increases participation in politics. compensates for lack of voting
provides representation for issues that may be overlooked
encourages people from all walks of life to engage in the political process
provide important expertise to the government and educate the public
competition between groups brings the best out of each other and makes for improved debate
weaknesses for pressure groups
some groujps have much more influence than others which leads to tyranny of the minority
they have no democratic legitimacy, and decisions for the group can be decided by a very small number of people
can harbour extreme view and methods
could reduce turnout as people engage in other issues
some groups are not able to get represented as they dont have the means to do it
somerset v stewart case 1772
slavery within the UK was illegal as it had not been made law by parliament
arguably set the precedent for elimination of slavery
Entick v Carrington 1765
government officials cannot excersise public power unless authorised by a specific rule or law
freedom of information act 2000
established a right of access to information held by public bodies unless compromising national security
allows us to see how public bodies operate
expenses scandal 2009
equality act 2010
equality before law for all citizens
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