democracy and participation

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59 Terms

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what is democracy?

demos kracy = rule by the people

all citizens are equally entitled to participate in decisions/policies

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universal suffrage

  • rights for all adults to vote

  • equal franchise act 1928

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political participation

involvement of citizens in politics through voting, strikes, protests, pressure groups, canvassing etc

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legitimacy

right to rule/have power

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features of uk democracy

  • regular, free, fair elections

  • MPs held accountable to electorate

  • PM accountable to parliament

  • multi party system

  • bicameral (HOC/HOL)

  • rights

  • representative dem w/element of direct

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devolution

passing out/devolving some power to other constituent nations of UK e.g. Scotland, Wales

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parliamentary democracy

executive (pm) is accountable to parliament

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direct democracy

citizens themselves make political decisions rather than politicians e.g. in referendums

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representative democracy

citizens vote for representatives (MPs) to make political decisions on their behalf

representatives held accountable at next election

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pros of direct democracy

+ genuine form of democracy, continuous / participation = better informed/more knowledgeable citizens → increased turnout (2014 scottish indy ref 85% / 2016 brexit = 72%)

+ returns power to people, referendums → reforms that would be unlikely under rep dem (75% of mps = remain / only 48% of electorate)
+ legitimacy/political stability achieved

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cons of direct democracy

- not good for complex decisions / over-simplify issues (no consensus on brexit terms, not as simple as remain / leave)

- only reflects majority / problematic when results are close (brexit)

- e-petitions etc → illusion of democracy without meaningful influence

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pros of representative democracy

+ representatives can be more experienced/think about wider picture + are held accountable

+ consider minority views / referendums = majority views

+ reps have more time to consider decisions

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cons of rep dem

- relies on good conduct of MPs = many scandals (2019-2024, 20 mps suspended / resigned over misconduct)

- legitimacy of reps = very low turnout (2024 = 57.9% lowest since 2001)

- FPTP = unrepresentative

- reps need to remain popular, avoid necessary reforms unpopular with influential groups (public accounts committee - increased adult social care, neither party has increased taxes / cuts to fund it)

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delegate model

rep votes in parliament how their constituents would - carrier of their views

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trustee/burkean model

rep applies their own judgement in light of facts, even if voters would have acted differently

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participation crisis

crisis in citizen involvement in politics due to lack of interest - undermines legitimacy of elected institutions

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arguments that there is a participation crisis

  • long term decline in voter turnout in general elections/referendums (2024 under 60% for first time since 2001)

  • long term decline in party membership since 1950s (cons 1950 = 2.8 mill / 2019 180,000)

  • decline in membership/power of trade unions

  • new social movements undermines participation - pressure groups

  • individual participation (e-petitions / social media) = shallow, low effort, not as good as voting / joining party

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arguments that there is not a participation crisis

  • higher number of chances to vote, (turnout in referendums 85% 2014 scottish indy / 72% brexit)

  • surge in party membership since 2013, more engaged than historically

  • many more single issue groups

  • new forms of political engagement are replacing voting/party membership

  • individual politics = engagement in innovative ways (e-petitions, political consumerism)

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democratic deficit

flaw in democratic process where lack of participation/trust in political system means decisions are made by people who lack legitimacy

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eg of referendums in uk

  • 2016 brexit (52% leave / 48% remain on 72% turnout)

  • 1997 scottish parliament (74% yes on 63% turnout)

  • 1998 good friday (71% yes on 81% turnout)

  • 2011 AV ref (68% no on 42% turnout)

  • 2014 scottish indy (45% yes, 55% no on 85% turnout)

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pros of referendums

  • legitimise major constitutional change (devolution / independence, brexit)

  • power to the people, make decisions directly → increases political awareness / education of voters (high turnout)

  • clear outcomes = resolve political arguments / disputes

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cons of referendums

  • challenge parliamentary sovereignty, public > elected representatives (brexit = complex issue, public not informed enough)

  • manipulation → wording / influential political figures / otehr factors not to do with outcome (2011 av → boycott against lib dems)

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arguments for reforms to system

  • more direct involvement of public in politics (more referendums, initiatives) = higher levels of engagement/participation

  • automatic voter reg = all citizens ready/able to vote = increased participation

  • voting/electoral reforms to fptp will increase participation

  • institutional reforms (HOL/devolved bodies) needed to tackle dem def

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arguments against reforms to system

  • more direct democracy could increase political apathy

  • fraud/accuracy/cost of automatic reg

  • voting/electoral reform may not increase participation

  • institutional reforms may increase opposition to elected institutions/weaken parliament

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3 reform acts in 19th century

  • enfranchised all male property owners

  • enfranchised all settled men in boroughs

  • enfranchised all male house owners in entire uk

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3 representation of the people acts in 20th century

  • 1918 = abolished all property qualifications for men/enfranchising married women over 30 with houses

  • 1928 = all women over 21 can vote

  • 1969 = lowered voting age from 21-18

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suffragists / suffragettes extension of franchise

  • SUFFRAGISTS: non-violent methods, peaceful demonstrations, petitions, lobbying MPs (millicent fawcett)

  • SUFFRAGETTES: militant tactics, attract publicity, disrupted political meetings / attacked institutions, hunger strikes (emily davidson king’s horse epsom derby)

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2014 Scotland Act

lowered voting age from 18-16

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arguments for votes at 16

  • solution to participation crisis (75% of 16-17 voted in 2014 scottish indy ref)

  • more likely to develop lifelong habit if encouraged to vote at school

  • have other legal rights (join armed forces, have sex, driver’s license)

  • give them a say on issues that directly affect them (uni tuition fees)

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arguments against votes at 16

  • influenced by political views of parents / guardians / social media

  • limited compulsory political education in uk → ill-informed decisions

  • lack necessary life experience / maturity to vote

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what is a pressure group?

organised group of people that aims to influence the policies or actions of government

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sectional / interest group

  • promotes interests of particular group / section of society

  • TUs, BMA, NFU

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causal group

  • pressure group that is based on shared values, ideas, principles / around particular cause

  • just stop oil, greenpeace

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insider group

pressure group that has access/consults with the government

NFU

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outsider group

pressure group that is not consulted by government/doesn’t want to be involved with government

extinction rebellion

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methods used by pressure groups

  • direct action (protest, marches etc)

  • lobbying (persuading politicians to join their campaign)

  • media attention (jso 2022, blocking roads / stopping premier league matches)

  • e-petitions / celebrity endorsements - 2020 marcus rashford FSM campaign / people’s vote - revoke article 50 e-petition

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pros of pressure groups

  • opps for informal political participation (400,000 ppl marched to support people’s vote 2019)

  • represent underrepresented minorities (2020 BLM / stonewall)

  • expertise in policy formulation (Stonewall worked with New Labour to equalise age of consent for gay/straight people to 16 (Sexual Offences Act 2000 – opposed by Lords)

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cons of pressure groups

  • disproportionate influence

  • spread of misinformation (anti-vax pressure group health advisory and recovery team - accused of spreading conspiracies about COVID)

  • direct action → disruption / police action (extinction rebellion 2022, 8 members arrested after they glued themselves to parts of parliamentary estate)

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factors affecting success of pressure groups

  • resources

  • leadership

  • public support

  • govt attitudes

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resources

  • large membership → more money from subscriptions → have staff / organise publicity = more influence

  • RSPCA 1600 employees / 1000s of volunteers = ££ for advertising

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leadership

  • experienced / clear leadership

  • marcus rashford - public figurehead / leader, effective FSM campaign

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public support

  • public opinion, usually better if peaceful / respectful methods used

  • JSO = alienate supporters / public

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govt attitudes

  • chooses groups it agrees with for advice

  • NFU / DEFRA links → £45 mill to farmers / importance in 2013 badger cull

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think tank

group of experts who provide ideas, advice and policy proposals on economic/social problems

iea (institute of economic affairs) / LW = fabian society / RW = adam smith institute

2022 truss / kwarteng disastrous mini-budget - influenced by neo-liberal IEA → deregulation / tax breaks for rich

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lobbyists

  • person or organisation that seeks to form close relationships / influence politicians

  • 4000 people / £2 billion / year

  • scott benton former mp - caught in undercover sting operation 2023 → offering to lobby on behalf of fake gambling company (leaking info / asking qus in parliament)

  • revolving door concerns - 170 former ministers taking up jobs relating to policy areas they used to manage

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corporations

  • disproportionate influence → improper behaviour

  • financial firm greensill capital hired former pm cameron / used private contacts to set up meetings w/senior govt minsters / persuade them to give greensill a COVID loan

  • 2021 randox health - paid cons mp owen paterson, lobbying on their behalf, £500,000 → won govt contracts worth £777 mill during COVID

  • uk govt dropped health push after lobbying by ultra-processed food firms (nestlé / coca-cola)

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individual rights

  • rights enjoyed by individuals

  • eg free speech

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collective rights

  • rights enjoyed by society as a whole

  • eg right to safety from criminals

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magna carta 1215

  • nobles forced king john I to sign charter - agreed not to impose taxes without their consent

  • right to a fair trial

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bill of rights 1689

  • established principles of free speech / elections within parliament → parliamentary privilege

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HRA 1998

  • incorporated ECHR into UK law

  • allowed British citizens to have ECHR-related rights cases heard in UK courts

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freedom of information act 2000

  • allowed citizens right to access info held by public bodies

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equality act 2010

  • protected people from discrimination in workplace / society

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same sex marriage act

  • 2013

  • extended right to marry to same-sex couples

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coronavirus act 2020

  • suspension of individual rights (freedom of movement / assembly) during lockdown

  • aimed to protect collective rights by limiting spread of covid

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police, crime, sentencing and courts act (PCSC) 2022

  • police can place restrictions on protests they think is public nuisance

  • starting / finishing times, noise limits / limits on amount of ppl

  • gives police more power

  • erodes right to freedom of assembly / right to protest

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public order act 2023

  • allowed police to arrest protesters on suspicion they might cause undue disorder

  • erodes right to freedom of assembly

  • used to arrest 6 members of republic (anti-monarchy pressure group) before charles III’s coronation → lack of proof / only suspicion

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how are rights protected in uk?

  • flexible constitution → updated more easily (2013 same-sex marriage act, referendum needed in NI)

  • civil liberty pressure groups (stonewall / liberty)

  • media campaigns

  • court rulings (2023 rwanda act → not a safe country / against human rights)

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how are rights not protected in uk?

  • individual > collective

  • 2023 SC ruled rwanda policy unlawful → rwanda not safe destination for deportations → SC failed to consider collective rights of society / individual rights of asylum seekers

  • 2023 gender recognition bill / 2024 SC defined legal definition of woman as someone biologically born a woman, excludes trans women → allowing self-identification = progress to trans rights