A-Level Politics (Edexcel) Democracy and Participation - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Democracy and Participation topics.

Direct Democracy

Citizens decide on policies themselves rather than through elected representatives (e.g., referendums).

Referendum

A direct vote by the electorate on a single issue or proposal.

Recall elections

Voters can remove an elected representative before the end of their term.

Petitions

Formal requests by citizens to prompt government action or legislation.

Advantages of Direct Democracy

Increases legitimacy, boosts participation, and reduces elite power.

Disadvantages of Direct Democracy

Impractical in large societies; risks tyranny of the majority; vulnerable to populism.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Regular elections

Scheduled elections to hold representatives accountable.

Free media

Independent press and broadcasting that informs the public and scrutinizes power.

Accountability

Public officials are answerable to voters and can be removed.

Advantages of Representative Democracy

Practical governance, informed decision-making, minority protections.

Disadvantages of Representative Democracy

Politicians may act in self-interest; participation can be limited; disengagement risk.

Pluralist Democracy

Power is spread across many groups and associations in society.

Elitist Democracy

Power concentrated in a small elite.

1832 Great Reform Act

Expanded voting rights to middle-class men and reduced rotten boroughs.

1867 Reform Act

Extended voting rights to many working-class men.

1884 Reform Act

Extended suffrage to more working-class men, expanding the franchise.

Representation of the People Act 1918

All men 21+ and women over 30 with property could vote.

Representation of the People Act 1928

Equal suffrage; all adults 21+ could vote.

Representation of the People Act 1969

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Votes at 16

Debate about lowering the voting age; backed by major parties; used in Scotland 2014 referendum.

Prisoner voting

Voting rights restricted for prisoners; controversial topic for reform.

Compulsory voting

Policy proposal to require eligible citizens to vote to reduce apathy.

Pressure Groups

Organizations trying to influence government policy without seeking election.

Sectional groups

Represent the interests of their members (e.g., trade unions).

Cause groups

Promote broader societal goals (e.g., Greenpeace).

Insider groups

Groups with regular access to government and formal influence (e.g., NFU).

Outsider groups

Groups relying on public campaigns without formal access.

Think Tanks

Policy-influencing research institutes (e.g., Institute of Economic Affairs).

Lobbyists

Paid professionals who seek to influence politicians and policy.

Corporations

Businesses that influence policy through funding, lobbying, and job offers.

Magna Carta (1215)

Early charter limiting royal power and laying groundwork for rights.

Bill of Rights (1689)

Limited the monarchy and protected certain rights of subjects.

European Convention on Human Rights (1950)

Treaty protecting fundamental rights across member states.

Human Rights Act (1998)

Enforces ECHR rights in UK courts; not entrenched; rights can be restricted for security.

Equality Act (2010)

Consolidates anti-discrimination law across protected characteristics.

Turnout

Proportion of eligible voters who actually vote; 1950s ~80%, 2001 ~59%, 2019 ~67%.

Party membership decline

Decline in people joining political parties since the 1950s; smaller parties rise relatively.

Growth of pressure groups and petitions

Increased activity by pressure groups and use of petitions to influence policy.

Participation Crisis

Debate on whether there is a crisis in participation; arguments for and against.

Proposed Reforms

Policies proposed to boost participation: compulsory voting; weekend/e-voting; votes at 16; more referendums; electoral reform; Lords reform; devolved decision-making.