1.1 UK Democracy

Representative + Direct Democracy

DD Advantages

equal votes
responsibility
community
participation

DD Disadvantages

TOTM
impractical
uninformed voter
demagogues

RD Advantages

practical
expertise
pluralism
minority voice
accountable

RD Disadvantages

elitism
apathy
influence of the majority
infrequent elections
corruption

Democratic Deficit

Strengths of UK System

devolution
independent judiciary
free + fair elections
free media

Weaknesses

elite media
house of lords legitimacy
MP scandals
FPTP
human rights protections (derogation)
political + legal sovereignty in NI (NI Protocol)

NI Protocol

still within EU free market
follows

Participation Crisis

yes

(h)apathy
voter turnout * 76% unmatched * @@2022 local election turnout: 33.6%@@ (second order) * West Lancashire By-Election turnout: 31.4%
distrust of MPs
party membership * 1.5% electorate belongs to three main parties (3.8% 1983) * Labour: 432000 * Conservatives: 172000 * SNP: 104000 * Lib Dems: 74000

no

rise of social media activism + e-petitions (alt methods to trad.)
turnout spikes on national issues e.g. 72% EU ref
recent strike action (e.g. RMT, BMA, RCN + NEU + Border Force) * junior doctor strikes 13th-16th March 2023
inc. turnout for PCC: 15% 2012 - 33% 2021

Improving UK System

stop media moguls owning multiple outlets
compulsory + e-voting
reduce voting age
proportional Westminster elections
elected HoL

Compulsory Voting

for

participation
abstain option
duty/right
mandate
broader political campaign

against

immoral
rote/donkey voting
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Debates over Suffrage

Development of the Franchise

Suffragettes + Suffragists

Votes at 16

Pressure Groups

Factors, methods + types

BMA + Occupy Movement

Think Tanks

Lobbying + Chumocracy

Corporations

Cash for Qs + Cash for Influence

Modern examples

Rights in Context

developments

controversies + debates

Abu Qatada

Shamima Begum

British Bill of Rights

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