1. Democracy and Participation Revision

Democracy and Participation

Definitions

• Democracy: A system of government where citizens exercise power by voting.

• Direct Democracy: Citizens directly participate in government decisions (e.g., Athen's model).

• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages of Direct Democracy:

  • All citizens actively participate.

  • Decisions made directly in citizens' interests.

  • Equal voice for every participant.

  • Purest form of democracy.

• Disadvantages of Direct Democracy:

  • Impractical due to constant participation required.

  • Voter apathy from excessive participation.

  • Voting often reflects individual interest over societal good.

  • No representation for minorities, risking tyranny of the majority.

• Advantages of Representative Democracy:

  • Professionals handle complex decision-making.

  • Better representation of minority interests.

  • Elected officials can be held accountable.

  • More practical than direct democracy.

• Disadvantages of Representative Democracy:

  • Citizens may become disengaged from politics.

  • Political parties can control representatives, reducing independence.

  • Politicians may evade accountability and act out of self-interest.

Key Concepts

• Pluralism: Political power is widely distributed rather than concentrated.

• Legitimacy: Authority accepted by the electorate, acquired through election mandates.

• Mandate: The right to govern based on electoral endorsement.

• Franchise: The right to vote; history of voting rights expansion in the UK:

  • 1832 Great Reform Act: Reduced rotten boroughs, increased urban representation.

  • 1918 Representation of the People Act: Expanded voting rights to men over 21 and women over 30.

  • 1928 Equal Franchise: Unified voting age for both sexes at 21.

  • 1969 Representation of the People Act: Voting age lowered to 18.

Current Debates on Voting Age

• For Voting Age 16:

  • Many 16-year-olds are independent, working, and taxpayers.

  • Current policies affect their future (e.g., tuition fees).

  • Engagement in Scottish referendum shows capability to vote wisely.

• Against Voting Age 16:

  • Younger individuals may lack developed political views.

  • Potential for lower turnout rates among young voters.

Compulsory Voting

• For Compulsory Voting:

  • Increased democratic legitimacy and accountability.

  • Higher participation rates (e.g., Australia with 95% turnout).

• Against Compulsory Voting:

  • Threatens individual freedoms and could favor ill-informed voting.

Participation Crisis

Arguments For and Against Crisis

• Yes, There is a Participation Crisis:

  • Decline in voter turnout since 1997 (lowest at 59% in 2001).

  • Decrease in party membership (3.8% to 1.6% since 1983).

• No, There is No Participation Crisis:

  • Increase in pressure group activity and access to political information via social media.

  • Rise in e-democracy engagement (e.g., significant petition signatures).

Pressure Groups

Types

• Sectional (Interest) Groups: Represent specific occupational interests (e.g., trade unions).

• Cause Groups: Promote specific issues (open membership, e.g., environmental protection).

• Social Movements: Generally looser structures, seek specific objectives (e.g., climate action protests).

• Insider Groups: Work intimately with the government (e.g., National Farmers Union).

• Outsider Groups: Operate outside official channels, often more radical (e.g., Extinction Rebellion).

Influence Factors

• Achievability and Public Support: Groups with clear, practical goals gain higher success rates.

• Resource Availability: Larger groups generally have more influence.

• Changing Political Circumstances: Political priorities shift with different governments.

Rights Development

Historical Context

• Magna Carta (1215): Established rights like fair trial.

• European Convention on Human Rights (1950): Post-WW2 rights protections.

• Human Rights Act (1998): Incorporated rights into UK law.

• Equality Act (2010): Addressed discrimination in numerous domains.

Rights Protection Implications of the HRA 1998

• Yes, Rights Are Protected:

  • Increased judicial reviews scrutinizing government actions.

  • Recent legal successes (e.g., Gurkha rights).

• No, Rights Are Not Fully Protected:

  • Parliament's supremacy allows it to override HRA if desired.

  • Security concerns may lead to rights erosion during crises.