1. Topic 1: democracy and political participation

2. Government should serve the interests of the people
Democracy
Government should serve the interests of the people

3. The importance of democracy
Democracy establishes and protects freedom:
Democracy ensures that no government can threaten freedom unless it is with the expressed consent of the people
Democracy protects minorities:
To be effective + enduring it must take into account the interests and demands of minority groups
Democracy controls government power preventing abuses of power
Democracy prevents that those who govern us will begin to abuse the position with increasing power. Does this by making government accountable to the people- submit themselves to re-election. People feel safe from corruption of power
Democracy disperses power more widely
Power is dispersed widely among people and non-governmental associations in civil society, preventing accumulations of power in too few hands
Democracy encourages popular participation
Tyranny can be prevented by ensuring that the people are able to freely participate in politics. People have the opportunity to become informed and be directly involved in influencing decision making

4. Various methods that have been suggested to improve democracy
Electoral reform:
To PR
FPTP disproportionate, safe seats, wasted votes etc ways to improve participation in turn improves democracy
Increase the use of referendums:
Form of direct democracy
Scotland independence
Ensures accountability of government and raised participation
May not understand fully to make judgement
Apathy
Use to express dissatisfaction of government of the day
Lowering voting age to 16+ or make voting compulsory:
Not part of national curriculum may not fully understand it
Reform:
Reform of the house of lords chamber, house of commons to be more socially representative
Recall
Electronic voting

5. Participatory democracy
Being active in political affairs/ aware, letting our political beliefs be known
Being politically active, taking it into our own hands by involving ourselves

6. Examples of participatory democracy
Voting in various elections
Joining pressure groups or political party
Participating in demonstrations
Being informed about issues
Taking part in e-petitions
If political representatives are not scrutinised by the electorate there will be no say in what is done

7. David Cameron – Big Society
Suggests that many of the functions of the state, largely in local government, should be replaced by local activism
Voluntary housing associations, citizens actions groups to combat crime
Free schools run by local community groups

8. Evidence of low participation levels – participatory crisis
Turnout: election turn out has been falling since 1979:
1979: 76%, 2015: 66.1%
Party membership:
1980: over a million, 2010: less than 400,00, on the decline
Partisan dealignment
Less people joining political parties as a result of less people taking any close interest in politics or political parties in general

9. Evidence to show that participation is picking up: on the flip side
Pressure group membership
On the rise, eg AA has over 1 million members, pressure groups are picking up the lack of participation towards political parties, could suggest they identify with them more
Growth in e-petitions
Highly successful internet campaigns eg most recent one to ban Donald trump from entering the uk

10. How can political participation be increased?
Voting can be made compulsory:
The electorate can take ownership of the outcome
Have options for those who don’t want to vote eg I don’t know or I refused to vote
Reducing voting age to 16:
May encourage more young people to become involved in politics
Some suggest they aren’t old enough to understand or they might not vote at all as theyre too lazy
David Camerons ‘big society’
Electoral reform:
Make all votes worth something, avoid safe seats, make the result more proportional, to combat the disillusionment associated with it
Making voting easier:
Introducing internet or text voting which would make it easier for people in remote areas or have difficulties getting places, problems with security though

11. Advantages and disadvantages of participatory democracy
Majority rule, usually need a majority to pass/ win an election, but how about the other 50% of the population who voted against it or didn’t vote at all? Can it really be said it is the full public opinion
Advantages:
It keeps democracy going
Prevents government from being an elected dictatorship

12. People themselves make political decisions
Direct democracy
People themselves make the important decisions that affect them directly
People themselves make political decisions

13. Examples of direct democracy
Referendums
e-petitions
Surgeries

14. Advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy
Promotes transparency
Provides direct responsibility
Promotes a well co operative community
Is the purest form of democracy
Avoids decisions being made by representatives purely in their own interests – prevents elected dictatorship
People are becoming increasingly well informed and educated and so can make their own judgements
When there is disillusionment with representative institutions, people prefer to make decisions for themselves
Disadvantages:
Uninvolved, uneducated people
Tyranny of the majority
Impractical on large scale
Corruption would still exist

15. Assess the arguments in favour of the greater use of direct democracy
Direct democracy involves a wide range of activities which include: referendums, focus groups and e- petitions
It is genuine democracy in action
With participation creates a true view of citizens, no distinction between government and people
The above may be a more ideal aspiration than practically possible, direct democracy is not achievable with greater population
Right now there is limited trust/confidence in officials/representatives eg expense scandals
Direct democracy would remove that, take away the distortion
However, there is a need for experts in certain fields who can take informed decisions and have a long term view of society
Digital democracy- create a more informed/ educated society, where people care about events and factors behind issues
It is argued that people would get lazy
Extend greater legitimacy to the government and its actions eg more widespread use of referendums
Constant reference and involvement of the public may create political instability/ crisis/ polarize opinion

16. Referendums: occasion when citizens are asked to determine the outcome of a question of public importance, is a convention, a simple yes no answer basis
Examples of referendums:
Scottish independence referendum: 2014
Whether or not there should be an elected mayor: 2012
Electoral reform to AV: 2011
Future referendums:
EU referendum 2016

17. Why referendums are used
So that government would not have to make a difficult decision that would back fire, it can be proposed by the people so that’s where the result lies
Electorate is now considered better educated and better informed and so insists on being consulted on matters
Future governments and parliaments will not be able to reverse the changes unless they again consult the people, the changes will become permanent, gives the result protection

18. Advantages and disadvantages of referendums
Most direct form of democracy – helps to make decisions legitimate and confirms the principle of government by consent
If people have demonstrated their expressed consent, they are more likely to accept the decision
Referendums prevent governments from making unpopular decisions
A referendum effectively entrenches constitutional changes
Disadvantages:
Many issues may be too complex for the majority of people to understand and make judgement on
Referendum campaigns are expensive – danger that one side will prevail as they have more money
People might use a referendum as an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the government of the day
Tyranny of the majority – minority that loses is not taken into account in anyway- undemocratic

19. To what extent would the wider use of referendums improve democracy in the uk
It would:
Would make the population more politically active between elections – may increase turnout
Would be more suited for instance ethical issues
On issues which divide parties the public could have the final say eg rise in tuition fees
Could be used at local level
It would make government less elitist and not so much an elected dictatorship
Are god for important/major decisions eg constitutional changes, electoral reform, the eu
It wouldn’t:
Greater use could lead to apathy
Public lack knowledge on some areas
They cost a lot
Extensive use undermines the principle of representative democracy and role of parliament
Biased media
People may use it to express their dissatisfaction of current day government

20. How do referendums complement representative democracy (improve)
Yes they do:
So that government would not have to make a difficult decision that would back fire, it can be proposed by the people so that’s where the accountability lies
Electorate is now considered better educated and better informed and so insists on being consulted on matters
Electorate do not need to go through a channel of communication to express their views, can be done directly
No they don’t:
Tyranny of the majority – minority that loses is not taken into account in anyway- undemocratic
People might use a referendum as an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the government of the day
Extensive use undermines the principle of representative democracy and role of parliament

21. Representative democracy
Where decisions are made by elected representatives rather than the people themselves, eg mps

22. Examples of representative democracy
Public scrutiny
Mps responsibility to be accounted for peoples concerns
Reporting of parliament debates
Prime ministers question time

23. Main features of a representative democracy
Free, fair and regular elections at a range of levels
Assemblies/legislatures which pass laws, the uk parliament
Decisions reached on the basis of majority
Tolerance of differing viewpoints
Widespread civil rights such as freedom of speech, right to protest
Pressure group activity
A range of political parties with representing differing policies and ideas

24. Parliamentary democracy
Parliament is the source of all political authority
The governmnet of the uk has to be drawn from parliament
Government makes itself constantly accountable to parliament
All citizens are represented by members of parliament
Parliament is normally the guardian of the governments electoral mandate
Parliament is expected to represent the national interest

25. Representative democracy in the Britain
Mps: your line of communication
House of parliament: expected to represent a cross section of society as a whole: female mps- 200, male mps-500, ethnic minority- 40 (2015), realistically under representative
Political parties: mainstream parties claim to represent the whole nation, people may feel more represented by pressure groups
The media: most people get their news/ knowledge here, whoever owns it can manipulate it and control it

26. Advantages and disadvantages of representative democracy
Participation levels are often low and this calls into the question the legitimacy of the system
Some minorities may feel excluded and marginalized under the system
Criticism is levied as to the narrow nature of representatives who are seen as not a true reflection of the people in society who they claim to represent
Advantages:
Government by experts or specialists. Representative democracy places power in the hands of the talented. For instance in terms of law and economics government posts are filled with people who possess detailed
knowledge in these areas
Representative democracy provides accountability. Through elections and free speech the public can hold office holders to account, throwing out errant governments and poorly performing ministers.
Representative democracy is the only practical form of democracy in a large
modern society. Direct democracy is unpractical for a host of reasons.

27. How effective does representative democracy operate in the uk
It does:
All areas of uk have elected representatives and there is a good mp/constituency link
New parties and pressure groups do form and are free to operate and challenge governments. Minorities and civil liberties are protected under the system
System provides government by the specialist or experts who have both practical knowledge and also high expertise in areas of governance eg skills in admin/ economic understanding
Uk is mature representative democracy and the current system instils stability and continually into civic life
It doesn’t:
An alleged participation crisis
Faults with representative institutions eg unelected lords + FPTP
Wider flaws with how ‘representative’ the system is with regards to gender, ethnicity, social class

28. Direct and representative democracy compared

29. How representative is better than direct
Elected representatives may be expected to use superior knowledge, judgement and experience to consider issues more deeply and so avoid over-emotional, hasty conclusions
Representatives in political parties are in a position to mediate between the conflicting demands of different groups in society. These are difficult, controversial issues that require lengthy, sober reflection
Representatives are in a position to protect minorities against the tyranny of the majority, elected representatives may be able to protect the interests of certain sections of society. If they were resolved by direct democracy, the majority would always win

30. Liberal democracy
Where there is an emphasis on the protection of individual rights and liberties, and where government is limited by enforceable constitutional laws

31. Summary of ideas
Government is accountable to the people to ensure that it is attempting to act in their general interests
Free and fair elections
There is a peaceful, orderly transfer of power from one government to the next
Losing parties accept the democratic legitimacy of winning parties
Information is freely available to the citizens
Rights and liberties of citizens are taken into account and protected
The powers of government are controlled and limited
A variety of beliefs, opinions, cultures and lifestyles are tolerated
Codified constitution

32. Is Britain a liberal democracy
Accountability:
Government is accountable to parliament, ministers justify themselves
Endure citizens are informed
Parliament does not have enough time to undertake this effectively
Free and fair elections
FPTP disproportionate electoral system
Votes are wasted, safe seats
Information
Free press
Government can sensor things
Rights and liberties:
ECHR
Parliament is still sovereign
Limited government:
No written constitution of safeguarding laws that set out limitations of government
Tolerance:
Admired for its tolerant politics + culture as long as they don’t challenge legitimacy of government. Growing terrorist threats
Is Britain a liberal democracy

33. To what extent is the uk a liberal democracy
Dispersal of power to devolved nations – devolution
Parliament still sovereign, has full control
Freedom of information act allowed greater transparency within public sector
ECHR
Devolved nations operate under PR electoral system
Referendums becoming convention. Not binding on parliament but great moral force eg EU
Fixed term parliaments – limitation on government
No written constitution
House of lords un elected even with reform
House of commons make up not representative of society as a whole
FPTP unfair
Sovereignty still lies within Westminster all of it

34. The democratic deficit and democratic renewal

35. Definitions
Democratic deficit: to describe a fear that democracy is being undermined or weakened in a variety of ways
Eg: the problem of falling political participation, the persistence of undemocratic institutions within the system of government, the increased centralization of power that is insufficiently accountable within government
Democratic renewal: a general term describing measures designed to deal with the democratic deficit
Eg: solutions to falling participation, constitutional and parliamentary reform, being addressed through devolution and other constitutional reforms

36. To what extent is there a democratic deficit
There is:
Declining turnout at all levels of elections
Political apathy (lack of interest) which questions democratic framework
A deficit in particular in education as the wider public lack interest and knowledge in the political system
Lack of the widespread use of referendums for the whole of the uk
House of lords being undemocratic and house of commons being under-representative of society
Unfair electoral system
There isn’t:
Democracy is continually evolving to meet the needs of the population
Reforms have taken place to develop democracy eg devolution
Reform of the second chamber
Widespread pressure groups membership
Referndums have been held and their overuse could undermine their relevance

37. How democratic is the uk
concerns over the FPTP system claimed to be free/fair system that delivers strong government, doesn’t fairly translate votes into seats. Proportional rep. no
concerns of the effectiveness of Parliament a vital component of UK democracy. alleged it cannot fulfil its role, by acting as a sovereign body - failing to hold the government accountable. expenses scandal damaged creditably of body.
Democracy in UK has been cited as open/free. Citizens can protest/show disapproval. is a strong pressure group presence to communicative democratic rights. the multiplicity of pressure groups can at time be seen to spoil the democratically elected government and as such a few pressure groups exercise excessive political influence.
Been alleged that the changes to political system since ‘97 has made the country more democratic, eg devolution, referendums, the Human Rights Act and the Supreme Court. However these changes there are still undemocratic eg HoL remains unelected/unaccountable, no codified constitution, no domestic Bill of Rights for UK citizens

39. Legitimacy
Refers to the degree to which the state or its government can be considered to have the right to exercise power. A state or government can be said to be legitimate if it has a valid claim to rule
Eg comes from consent – have the people consented to it - government
Eg tradition - monarch

40. Main features of the uks democratic system