politics - democracy and participation

define cause group

define cause group

a pressure group based on shared values, ideas and principle

define civil obedience

law breaking justified on the grounds of being done to create a more just society

define civil liberties

rights and freedoms that protect the individual from the state

define clicktivism

the signing of online petitions and other online methods to promote a cause

define consent

agreeing to be ruled or governed

define collective rights

rights held by a group rather than individually by its members

define democratic deficit

a flaw in the democratic process where, not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability

define direct action

political action focused on forcing change via protest and action

define direct democracy

all individuals express their opinions themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf. emerged in Athens in classical times and it can be seen today in referendums.

define ECHR

protects the rights of people whose countries belong to the council of Europe

define elitism

the theory that political power is concentrated in the hands of a few, powerful people

define the equal franchise act

1928 act that gave all men and women over 21 the right to vote

define franchise/suffrage

they both refer to the ability/right to vote in public elections. suffragettes were women campaigning for the right to vote on the same terms as men.

define formal political participation

participation in formal political and electoral processes and structures includes: voting being a member of a political party

what is the good Friday agreement?

the agreement in 1998 that brought the end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland

what is the great reform act?

1832 act that extended the franchise to middle class house owners (6% of the population)and ensured that there were properly organised constituencies and secret ballots

define group politics

the pursuit of challenging the public by pressure groups, think tanks or business corporations

what is the human rights act?

1998 act that fully incorporated ECHR into UK law

define insider group

a pressure group that enjoys regular consultation with the government

define individual rights

rights needed by each individual to pursue their lives and goals without interference from other individuals or denied by the government or other individuals

define interest group

a pressure group that exists to advance or protect the interest of its members

define informal political participation

public engagement that occurs as part of routine human interaction, outside of political institutions, and may involve dialogue, collective decision-making and deliberation

define legitimacy

the rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely-held agreements, such as a governments right to rule following an election or a monarchs succession based on the agreed rules

define lobbyists

paid by clients to try to influence the government and/or MPs and members of the house of Lords to act in their clients interests, particularly when legislation is under consideration

define outsider group

a pressure group that is not consulted by government and does not work closely with government

what is a participation crisis?

a lack of engagement by a significant number of citizens to relate to the political process either by choosing not to vote or to join or become members of political parties or to offer themselves for public office

define peak group

when groups with common interests pool their resources to achieve their aims

what are petitions?

a document with a specific request that people sign to show their support. this is then handed to the authority

define pluralism

where political power is distributed evenly in society

define a pluralist society

a type of democracy in which government makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting arguments from competing groups and organisations

define political participation

involvement of citizens in politics - through voting, membership of political parties or in pressure groups. (or social media campaigns).

define a pressure group

groups that look to achieve change by influencing from outside government with an narrow or targeted focus

what is the representation of the people act 1918?

gave the right to vote to some women and all men aged over 21

what is the representation of the people act 1969?

lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

what is representative democracy?

a more modern form of democracy through which an individual selects a person (and/or political party) to act on their behalf to exercise political choice

what is a revolving door?

the movement of high level officials from the public sector to private sector jobs

define the second and third reform acts

1867 and 1884 acts that gave the right to vote to all male settled tenants and homeowners

define think tanks

a body of experts brought together to collectively focus on a certain topic(s) - to investigate and offer solutions to economic, social or political issues

define trade unions

groups of employees who join together to maintain and improve working conditions and speak on behalf of a workforce/sector

define TUC

body that speaks for all/most trade unions

define democracy

All the citizens are equally entitled to participate in society’s decisions about it’s policies.

define universal suffrage

the right for all adults to vote