half term revision (bowler)

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