democracy and participation

What is direct democracy

All individuals express their opinions theirselves and not through representatives.

Example of direct democracy

Referendum

What is representative democracy

A form of democracy in which an individual selects a person or party to act on their behalf

Key differences 1

Direct invididuals express opinions themselves vs representative someone does for them

Key differences 2

Direct citizens are more active in decision making but representatives citizens pass authority to their representatives

Key differences 3

Direct isnt elective representatives there are elections held

Advantage 1 of direct

Gives equal weight to all votes whereas representative can be uneven due to constituency size

Disadvantage 1 of direct

Impractical in a large heavily populated modern state

Advantage 2 of direct

Encourages participation

Disadvantage 2 of direct

Many people may not want to or know how to make a decision so rely on activists

Advantage 3 of direct

Develops sense of community

Disadvantage 3 of direct

Minority viewpoints can be disregarded

Advantage 1 of representative

Helpful when rapid decisions need to be made

Disadvantage 1 of representative

May lead to reduced participation

Advantage 2 of representative

Encourages pluralist democracy

What is pluralist democracy

A type of democracy in which a gov makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments

Disadvantage 2 of representative

Parties and pressure groups are often run by elites persuing their own agendas

Advantage 3 of representative

Elections allow for accountability

Disadvantage 3 of representative

Politicians are v skilled at avoiding accountability and general elections are 5 yrs apart

Three nationwide referendums in uk

Membership of eu in 1975 and 2016 (Brexit)

Should we change Westminster voting system to AV in 2011

What is 2015 recall of MPs Act

Allows a petition to be triggered if an MP is imprisoned or suspended from hoc for more than 21 days. If 10% of voters in the constituency sigh a petition a byelecton is called

Legitimacy

The right to excersise a power, eg a governments right to rule following an election

Democratic deficit

Perceived deficiency in the way a particular democratic body works.

1 positive democratic features

Devolved govs

2 positive democratic features

Independent judiciary - separate from the other branches of gov

3 positive democrative features

Free media

1 reasons uk is undemocratic

Under representations of minority viewpoints due to the voting system

2 reasons uk is undemocratic

Hol lacks democratic legitimacy bc its unelected

3 uk system is undemocratic

Lack of protection of rights - echr which is incorporated into hra 1998 arguably provides inadequate guarantees

Turnout stats

1945-97 : 76%

% in 2001 was lowest since ww1

2024 : just under 60%

Participation crisis

Lack of engagement with the political system

Example of participation crisis

Party membership falling - con 400k 1990s- 172k in 2022

1 should voting be compulsory yes

Voting is a social duty as well as a right

1 voting should be voluntary

Uninformed voters may be forced to randomly take part and distort results

2 voting should be compulsory

Parliament would be more representative

2 voluntary

Undemocratic to force people to do something

3 compulsory

It would still be legal to spoil a ballot paper

3 voluntary

Politicians wld still focus on marginal seats

What is suffrage/franchise

The ability or right to vote in public elections

Great reform act

Was in 1832. Abolished the seperate representation of the most underpopulated boroughs and created seats for urban areas such as Manchester. Granted the vote to some new categories of people. Electorate increased to 5% of the adult population

What happened in 1918

All men over 21 and women over 30 enfranchised (75% of adult population)

What happened in 1928

Terms for men and women equalised

What happened in 1969

Voting age reduced to 18

When was national union of women’s suffrage created

1897

What was the NUWSS

Suffragists - middle class women who believed in non violent methods of persuasion such as peaceful demonstrations, petitions and lobbying

When was women’s social and political union created, by who and what was it

1903, emmeline pankurst, called the suffragettes. Attracted more working class and middle class and believed in more militant tactics

Current example of extending the franchise

Allowing 16&17 year olds the vote. 2015 Scottish parliament extended the vote and since 2024, labour have been trying to do the same.

Three main types of pressure group

Sectional/interest groups, cause/promotional groups, social movements

What do sectional groups do

Seek to promote the interests of an occupation or another group in society. Eg. Trade unions represent workers. Members usually have to meet specific requirements

What do cause groups do

Focused on achieving a particular goal or drawing attention to an issue or group of related issues. Membership is open to anyone. Eg. Greenpeace promotes environmental concerns and tries to influence the gov to adopt green causes.

What do social movements do

Similar to cause groups but are more loosely structured. Usually politically radical and seek a single objective. Eg. 2021 Insulate Britain blocked roads to draw attention to its campaign for gov funding of insulation for social housing

Two types of group relations with gov

Insider groups, outsider groups

What are insider groups

Rely on contacts with ministers and civil servants. Some have close links with relevant gov departments like National Farmers Union and Defra

What are outsider groups

Not consulted by the gov. Objectives are usually so far outside of the political mainstream eg. Animal testing activists. This means the gov is unlikely to speak with them.

Insider methods

Negotiation quietly behind the scenes. Or lobbying.

Outsider methods

Less discreet. Email petitions and campaigns, or staging demonstrations and publicity stunts.

Why do some pressure groups have more influence than others? R

Resources eg. RSPCA employs around 1300 ppl and has thousands of volunteers and can afford full page adverts.

Why do some pressure groups have more influence than others? T

Tactics and leadership. Eg. Wildlife and countryside link, an umbrella organisation that has brought to many animal welfare groups such incl rspca and league against cruel sports and compassion in world farming.

Why do some pressure groups have more influence than others? P

Public support. Eg 2017 38 Degrees secured more than 43000 signatures for an online campaign to stop trump from a full state visit to the uk

Why do some pressure groups have more influence than others?

Government attitudes. National farmers union’s links to defra were essential for the 2013 badger cull.

Marcus rashford free school meals

During Covid, rashford gave support to FareShare, a food poverty pressure group. He led a campaign to persuade the con gov to extend free school meals to disadvantaged children in the summer hols. It was a success

Why was rashfords free school meals a success

The objective was a worthy cause, rashfords standing as a non political figure with a tough childhood was important, he had lots of social media support

Extinction rebellion case study

An extreme activist group that block traffic and glue themselves to buildings. In 2019 they brought central ldn to a standstill with demonstrations around a large pink boat. They havent been as successful because they are seen as inconsiderate.

What are think tanks

Groups of experts from different backgrounds who are brought to to investigate particular topics. Eg. The shift of Conservative Party thinking towards a more free market approach in the 70s was due to thatchers patronage of right wing think tanks like centre for policy studies and Adam smith institute.

What are lobbyists

Members of professional organisations that are paid by clients seeking access to gov or to MPs and HOL.

What is Magna Carta

Document drawn up in 1215 and is usually regarded as the oldest statement of rights in the uk.

What is the ECHR

European convention on human rights. Was drawn up in 1950 by the council of Europe. People could go to Strasbourg to plead their cases in a court but it was time consuming and expensive

What is the HRA

Human rights act 1998. Passed by the new labour gov and meant rights cases could be appealed in uk courts

What is the equality act

2010. Brings tg earlier pieces of legislation thst had sought to outlaw discrimination such as 1970 equal pay act, 1975 sex discrimination act, 1976 race relations act. Defends nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.