1. How democratic is the UK?
DO NOW
Take turns explaining these terms to the other students on your tables, using examples wherever possible:
Direct democracy
Representative democracy
Liberal democracy
Parliamentary democracy

2. Learning objectives
To explain the democratic underpinnings of the UK political system
To explore some limits to democracy under the ‘Westminster’ model
To prepare for our first extended writing task

3. Essay task
‘The parliamentary system in the UK is significantly undemocratic.’ Discuss. (25)
You must address at least three of the four topics we will cover in class today, i.e.
Bias in the voting system
Declining political participation
Fusion of legislative and executive functions
The influence of undemocratic institutions

4. The Westminster model - overview

5. Constituencies at-a-glance
There are 650 electoral constituencies in the UK—533 in England, 59 in Scotland, 40 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland.
The average number of voters in each constituency is currently ~68,175.
Registered voters in each constituency elect one Member of Parliament, who sits in the House of Commons, using a first-past-the-post voting system.
The number of constituencies, their size, composition and borders are regulated by the Boundary Commissions for each of the four countries.
The map shows the outcome of the 2010 General Election by constituency.

7. The voting process

8. What are the three branches of government?
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
What it does
Makes policy
Passes laws
Interprets laws
UK example
Prime Minister & Cabinet
Parliament
Supreme Court and Judiciary

9. What is the separation of powers?
Electorate
Legitimacy & Accountability
Executive
(President & Cabinet)
Checks and balances
Legislative
(Congress)
Judiciary
(Congress)
Electorate
Legitimacy & Accountability

10. What is parliamentary government?
Executive
(Prime minister & Cabinet)
Personnel
Accountability
Legislative
(Parliament)
Electorate
Legitimacy & Accountability

11. What is parliamentary government?
Executive
(Prime minister & Cabinet)
Personnel
Accountability
House of Commons
House of Lords
Electorate
Legitimacy & Accountability

12. Parliament as a representative body
There are problems with how Parliament is seen as a representative body, because there are different interpretations of representation. As an elected body, it legitimises executive power, but serves also to link citizens with the political process. It acts as a safety valve and allows MPs in Parliament to articulate the interests of different groups in society to government. Parliament fulfils the task of both general and specific representation. The representation of constituents’ grievances is a traditional role of MPs. The significance of Parliament to the public is reflected in the extent to which it remains a magnet for the expression of opinion and dissent. Millions of letters flow into Parliament each year. Organisations arrange mass lobbies of MPs. Protesters stand with banners and megaphones outside Parliament. These huge demonstrations show that, for many citizens, Parliament remains relevant.

13. Group research task
Each group has 15 mins to review the chapter and to identify what they need to know more about in order to explain their specific topic.
They will then have 20 mins to prepare a short presentation on their topic.
Presentations should be no longer than 5 mins and should include analysis rooted in specific evidence.

14. Essay task
‘The parliamentary system in the UK is significantly undemocratic.’ Discuss. (25)
You must address at least three of the four topics we will cover in class today, i.e.
Bias in the voting system
Declining political participation
Fusion of legislative and executive functions
The influence of undemocratic institutions

15. Plenary
What other limitations on representative democracy in the UK can you think of?