1.1 Representative/ direct democracy

= a gov. system where people can access independent info and influence gov. decisions

'Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people.' -Abraham Lincoln

• free, fair, regular elections
• freedom of; press, speech, etc. 
• different political ideologies and beliefs are tolerated
• rule of law (all are equal under the law)
• peaceful transition of power
• gov. operates in the broad interests of the people
• gov. is accountable to the people

Democracy is important as: 

• it allows choice and encourages popular participation
• protects freedoms and minorities
• controls gov. power

'Government by the people'

= system where individuals express opinions and make key political decisions.

e.g.,

• national referendums - single issue vote on a yes/no questions (e.g. 1975, 2011, 2016)
• Recall of MPs Act (2015) - by-election triggered by a petition if an MP is imprisoned or suspended from HofC for 21 days
• petitions - 100,000 signatures = considered for debate in HofC

• votes are equal
• encourages participation and debate
• people power (not reps)
• impractical
• lack of knowledge 
• open to manipulation
• minorities may be overlooked

'Government for the people'

= political system where most decisions are made by representatives rather than people themselves

• ultimate power lies with the people
• elections provide accountability (electoral democracy)

• more practical
• parties and PGs allow choice
• prevents tyranny of the majority
• accountability
• gov. by experts
• may reduce participation as responsibilty is handed to politicians
• are parties/ PGs representative?
• accountability is limited by 5 year terms
• politicians are not perfect

= the legal right/ authority to exercise power

• a gov. claims legitimacy as a result of the electoral madate it secures at a GE
• legitimacy may also be conferred through the constitution

GOV. DERIVES LEGITIMACY FROM THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE

VALIDATES THE POLICIES OF THOSE EXERCISING POWER

Devolved governments: - another layer of representation

                                          - brings democracy closer to the people

Independent judiciary: - upholds rule of law

                                       - protects personal freedoms

Free media: - holds gov. to account by challenging policy and exposing misdeeds

                     - source of information

Free and fair elections: - free of corruption

                                        - allows voters to express views and hold gov. to account

Parties and PGs: - gives people a choice of representation

                              - competiton allows for debate and a wide range of views to be considered

Voting system: - large parties are over-represnted

                          - disproportionate (votes do not transalte into seats)

House of Lords: - mainly appointed

                             - difficult to hold to account/ remove members

Rights: - HRA (1998) lacks sufficient guarantees for the rights ofcitizens as gov.s can opt out of                     articles

Media: - lack of accountability

             - how much influence does it have over politicians seeking favourable press?

• generally about 70-75% in the UK
• significantly higher than in US presidential elections

2017 UK general election = 68.7%

2016 US presidential election = 55.7%

1975 EEC referendum = 64.6%

2016 EU referndum = 72.2%

• party membership is generally decreasing
• Labour Party membership, however, increased from 190,000in 2014 to 552,000 in 2018 under Jeremy Corbyn who attracted more radical/ ideological voters
• in 2018 Conservative membership was only 124,000

Further devolution:

• encourage participation and giving people more self-determination
• however, turnout in devolved elctions is significantly lower and is declining (2016 SP= 55.6%)
• little enthusiasm for English Parliament
• low turnout for mayoral and PCC elections (London mayor 2016= 45.3%)

Power of recall:

• Recall of MPs Act (2015) enabled voters to trigger a by-election with 10% signing a petition
• circumstances for this are too extreme (imprisonment/ suspension)
• broadening these would give voters more power e.g. 18 US states have recall powers

HofL reform:

• unelected + unaccountable, change would make Parliament fully democratically accountable
• both chambers being equal could lead to constitutional gridlock
• more elections would likely increase voter apathy and lessen popular participation
• meant to be experts