UK Democracy and Participation

what is a democracy

system in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation

what do democracies give the government

legitimacy, providing them with a mandate or the authority to govern

what is a direct democracy

a government in which the people take decisions themselves

- EG: Switzerland

Advantages of a direct democracy

- purest form of democracy

- encourages genuine participation and debate

- decisions have legitimacy/full consent, as every vote has equal weight

Disadvantages of a direct democracy

- minority views go unrepresented resulting in tyranny of the majority

- lacks pluralism

- the majority view is not always wise, moral or legal, as most people vote based on personal interest rather than interests of society

What is a representative democracy

where people vote for representatives who take decisions on their behalf (MPs)

Advantages of a representative democracy

- promotes pluralism, with a range of views being represented

- decision makers are accountable to the public

- representatives are more informed and have the expertise to make appropriate decisions

Disadvantages of representative democracy

- May lead to reduced participation as people choose to hand responsibility to politicians.

- Minorities may still find themselves under-represented as politicians are more likely to follow the views of the majority to secure election.

- Politicians are skilful in avoiding accountability, especially as general elections are usually 5 years apart in the UK.

what are the two models of a representative democracy

- delegate

- trustee

delegate model of RD

the representative is given direct instructions by people to vote in a specific way

examples of delegate model

some MPs voted to trigger Article 50 to leave the EU or not based on how their constituents voted in the Brexit referendum rather than their personal view on the matter

trustee model of RD (Burkean model)

These 'trustees' have autonomy to deliberate and act as they see fit, in their own conscience even if it means going against the explicit desires of their constituents

examples of positive democratic features in the UK

- free media: challenge policies and expose politicians

- independent judiciary: upholds rule of law and protects personal freedoms

- devolved regions: allows decision making to take place closer to the people

examples of negative democratic features in the UK

- HoL: unelected, meaning it lacks democratic legitimacy

- FPTP only favours 2 party system, meaning minority views remain unrepresented

- media is controlled by wealthy groups (EG: Murdoch group) making them biased

- rights remain unprotected

what is a democratic deficit

when a system has democratic institutions that do not meet democratic principles

what is universal suffrage

the idea that all adults can vote - voting equality

what is a participation crisis

lack of engagement with the political system where a large number of people choose not to vote, join a party etc

how can the current participation crisis be improved

- reducing voting age from 16-18

- changing the day of elections from a thursday to a weekend

- allowing vote to take place over multiple days

- allowing people to vote wherever - EG, online petitions have become increasingly popular

case for voting being compulsory

- would make parliament more representative

- better quality campaigns as parties would have to appeal to the whole population

cases against voting being compulsory

- undemocratic to make someone choose, especially if their opinion is not represented

- would not stop heavy campaigning on marginal seats and neglect of safe seats

what democratic reforms should be considered to improve voting

- changing general elections to PR, as these systems provide more representation and allow minority views to break through

- establishment of an english parliament to allow decision making to be closer to citizens

- further reform to parliament, abolishing to lords or making it elected and making MPs more accountable

what is suffrage (franchise)

the ability or right to vote in public elections

what are the key milestones in extending the franchise

- 1918, representation of the people act

- 1928 representation of the people act

- 1969 representation of the people act

- 2016 Scottish elections act

what was the 1918 ROPA

married, graduate or property owning women over the age of 30 can vote, and all men over 21 can vote

what was the 1928 ROPA

all adults over the age of 21 can vote (inc women) and let women run for MP

what was the 1969 ROPA

voting age reduced from 21 to 18, still had to be 21 to be an MP

what was the Scottish elections act 2016

16/17 year olds can vote in Scottish elections

arguments for extending franchise to 16

- have legal rights

- many policies affect their age group, such as education, minimum wage

- 3/4 of registered 16/17 year olds voted in Scottish parliament

arguments against extending the franchise to 16

- 18-24 have the lowest turnout of all voters, so questions about how well 16-17 would vote

- lack maturity and political knowledge to make appropriate decisions

- most 16/17 year olds in Wales were not registered to vote in time for the 2021 Senedd elections

what people are excluded from GE

- under 18s

- prisoners

- members of the lords

- convicts of illegal electoral practice

what is a pressure group

a group or association of people who share the same/similar political aims

what is a sectional group

seeks to promote the interests of an occupation or group in society

example of a sectional group

British Medical association (BMA)

British Medical association (BMA)

- union and lobbying group representing doctors in the UK

- well-funded with an engaged membership

- had significant influence in the ban on smoking in public spaces

- rarely uses direct action

Example of a promotional group

Greenpeace

what is a promotional group

represent an issue or a cause

Greenpeace

- large, international, environmental protest group

- receives public donations

- uses direct action and high-profile protests

- helped influence ban on nuclear weapons testing

what is an insider pressure group

regular access to government and tend to support the government

what is an outsider pressure group

No productive links with government who is not consulted and less likely to have their views taken into account - seek public support

what are the functions of pressure groups

- representation

- political participation

- education

- policy formulation

- policy implementation

example of how pressure groups increase political participation

2012, the 'we demand a referendum' group dropped a petition at downing street with 100,000 signatures calling for a referendum on EU membership

example of how pressure groups represent minorities

Stonewall is a pressure group that represent LGBTQ+ rights, 2013, their rainbow laces campaign engaged over 1 million LGBTQ+ individuals to promote inclusion in sports

example of pressure groups addressing controversial issues

Palestine solidarity campaign, is a group campaigning for palestinian rights and justice through organising rallies and educational events - recently fought against the governments attempt to silence the boycott

factors that influence pressure group success

- expertise

- popularity

- resources

- ideological compatibility

expertise and influence

insider groups have more expertise and are more likely to be considered by the government

popularity and influence

outsider groups tend to be more popular as their protests are public - EG: surfers against Sewage, by cleaning up beaches and engaging the public, they have influenced policies related to plastic pollution and costal protection

resources and influence

wealthier pressure groups have more resources and methods - EG: RSPB has an income of £110 million in 2019-21, allowing them to fund conservation projects as part of their campaigns

ideological compatibility and influence

if their views are compatible with the governments, they will have a more personal relationship influencing their success - EG: the CBI played a pivotal role in securing the UK's 2050 net-zero emissions target and worked closely with the government to design the furlough schemes in covid-19

what are issues with pressure groups

- can promote tyranny of the minority

- not accountable and can twist facts

examples of pressure groups promoting tyranny of the minority

2007, BMA successfully campaigned for ban on smoking in public spaces - majority of people were against

examples of pressure groups not being accountable and twisting facts

2016, Greenpeace published photos of a devestated forest, claiming the damage was done by company 'resolute' but the forest had actually been ruined in a fire

what is a think tank

public policy research groups that do not campaign for change but rather influence unlicensed policy and public debate

example of a think tank

Adam Smith Institute -

- Campaigns to deregulate businesses and fights against intergenerational unfairness.

- Wants to use free markets to end poverty and create a liberal immigration system.

what are lobbyists

people/companies that are paid to promote particular interests, usually to influence the government

examples of lobbyists

- Cameron became a lobbyist for Greensill in 2020 to help the company from falling

what are corporations

company's that seek to put pressure on and influence the government by creating links and hiring lobbyists

examples of corporations

BMW and airbus threatened to reduce investment and cut thousands of UK jobs in the event that there was a 'hard' Brexit

civil liberties pressure groups

- liberty

- amnesty international

what is Liberty

- membership organisation focusing on civil liberties in the UK

- current campaigns include migrants' rights, campaigning against increased use of facial recognition tech, and 'mass surveillance'

- Human Rights Act influenced by them

what is Amnesty international

an international pressure group, focusing on human rights abuses all around the world