Topic 1: democracy and political participation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examples of direct democracy Referendums e-petitions Surgeries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Direct and representative democracy compared

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

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

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

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

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

The democratic deficit and democratic renewal

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

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

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

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

Main features of the uks democratic system