1.1 Democracy and Participation

Features of Representative Democracy

Elections: Citizens vote for representatives

Accountability: Representatives must justify decisions to the electorate

Constituencies: MPs represent geographic areas

Political Parties: Voters usually choose candidates based on party affiliation

Parliamentary Sovereignty: Ultimate decision-making power lies in Parliament

Example: UK general elections, House of Commons

Features of Direct Democracy

Citizens make decisions directly, without intermediaries

Referendums: Used to gauge public opinion on major constitutional or moral issues

Initiatives/Petitions: Increasingly used (e.g. e-petitions on Parliament’s website)

Examples: 2016 EU Referendum, 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum

Similarities between Representative and Direct Democracy

Both aim to express the will of the people

Both require political participation

Both are based on the principle of political equality

Both can be influenced by pluralist democracy

Both require mechanisms of accountability

What are the differences between Representative and Direct Democracy?

Citizens elect representatives vs citizens make decisions themselves

Indirect vs direct

Carried out by elected individuals vs carried out by the people themselves

Practical for large/complex societies vs more suited to small-scale decisions

Faster vs slower

Representatives held accountable vs people are responsible

What are the advantages of representative democracy?

Efficient in a large, modern state

Elected representatives are often more informed

Representatives can be removed

Different views represented via parties, MPs, pressure groups

What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?

Public may feel removed from decision making

MPs may follow the party over the views of the constituency

Unequal representation, e.g. safe seats, FPTP system

Low trust if MPs are seen as self-serving or elitist

What are the advantages of direct democracy?

Everyone has an equal say

Increased political engagement

Decisions reflect majority opinion

Reduces influence of party politics

What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?

Impractical in a large and complex society

Low turnout can lead to unrepresentative decisions

Tyranny of the majority can lead to minority views being ignored

Voters may lack the expertise or information

Why might reform be needed?

Democratic Defecit - FPTP, unelected lords, low turnout

Participation crisis - Declining party membership, youth disengagement

Unrepresentative outcomes - Underrepresentation of minorities and smaller parties

Increased use of direct tools - Public wants more say

What are some possible reforms?

Electoral reform - Introducing proportional representation

Compulsory voting to combat low turnout

Lords Reform - Making the House of Lords elected

More digital democracy - Online votes, e-petitions

Citizens’ Assemblies - Direct involvement in decision-making beyond referendums