Democracy

Democracy

• Rule by the ‘demos’ - people as a whole - instead of a class or section within it (like politicians, for example)

• Giving power to the people

• All citizens equally entitled to participate in society’s decisions about its policies

Universal suffrage

• Right for all adults to vote

Political participation

• Involvement of citizens in politics in order to shape policy making

• Through: voting, membership of a political party or pressure group

Consent

• Assent or permission - in politics: agreement to be governed/ruled

Robert Dahl’s 5 criteria to measure if something’s a democracy or not

1. Participation - everyone has an equal and effective opportunity to make opinions known

2. Voting equality - everyone’s votes are equal and they have equal opportunities to vote

3. Understanding - everyone learns about the different choices and their outcomes

4. Agenda setting - everyone can decide how to set, and what is on the agenda so past options can be revisited (currently done by the govt)

5. Universality - everyone should have hte same rights to be able to do the 4 things above

Equal Franchise Act - 1928

• First time that UK was truly democratic due to the granting of universal suffrage

Magna Carta - 1215

• Beginning of the UK’s democratic roots

10 components of a liberal democracy

1. Peaceful transition of power

2. Free elections

   We need ID to vote, but everyone can vote over the age of 18 and all votes are equal

3. Fair elections

   We have lots of parties and therefore choice, and a definite lack of corruption compared to other countries, but we do have a 2 party system

4. Widespread participation in politics

   18-25y/o have lowest turnout and 60+ the highest, along with low overall turnout

5. Freedom of expression and information

   XR have been removed in the name of ‘public safety’ along with groups like Palestine Action, who have been named a terrorist group. However, we do have the FOI Act (2000) and other freedoms of religion, sexuality etc.

6. Rule of law

   Johnson broke the law by proroguing Plmt, but we do have a broad rule of law across the country.

7. Protection of rights and liberties

   There are still issues with racism (Jess Carter during the Euros (no prosecution for anyone involved) and the gender pay gap is not rigorously enforced. It is still better than other countries and than it used to be.

8. Freedom of association

   XR taken away for public safety, and Palestine Action not safe to associate yourself with for fear of legal repercussions. Free to be a member of a political party and trade unions.

9. A constitution

   Uncodified

10. Independent judiciary

    Arguable, but yes.