Democracy and participation

Direct Democracy: People themselves make political decisions

Representative democracy: People elect reprrsentatives to make political decisions

Advantages of Direct Democracy:

• Rule by majority
• Purest form of democracy- gives legitimacy
• 'Wisdom of crowds' means people will reach measured decisions
• People should respect decisions to which they consented

Advantages of Representative Democracy:

• Can protect minorities against rule by majority
• Reps may have more knowledge and judgement than people
• People may not understand complex issues, reps' undrstanding is more reflective
• Reps can be sensitive to changing situations

Positives:

• Free elections: Everyone over 18 can vote, there is little electoral fraud and strong legal safeguards.
• Fair elections: Proportional systems in Scotland, Wales and NI, also for EU parliament
• Widespread participation: Extensive Presssure Group membership and e-democracy
• Freedom of expression: Press and media free of Govt interference, free access to internet
• Freedom of association: UK tolerates diverse groups, no restrictions on legal organisations
• The rule of law: Upheld strictly by the judiciary- independent and neutral

Negatives:

• The HoL is unelected
• FPTP leading to disproportionate results and wasted votes
• Both voter turnout and party activism remain low compared to the past
• Much ownership of the press is in the hands of a few large companies- News International
• Some associations are banned due to pro-terrorsim or racial hatred
• HRA is threatened by the Brexit

Measures to tackle:

• Copulsory voting, more political education- in order to increase turnout
• Increased used of referendums- to get rid of political apathy
• Electoral reform making more parties electable, reduce party membership- to tackle falling party membership
• Change in electoral system- to decrase disillusionment with politicians 

The nature of pressure groups:

• Promotional groups: Altruistic and serves the whole community, tends to put pressure on govt by mobilising public opinion, they often use direct action (demonstrations, protests), they seek widespread support.
• Sectional groups: Largely self-interested and serve own members' interests, tend to seek direct links with decision makes (insider status), they often take the parliamentary route to influence, formal memebrship.

Methods:

• Lobbying, public campaigning, donations to political parties, media campaigns, civil disobedience, social media and e-petitions, legal actions.

Pressure groups enhance democracy:

• Educate people about important issues, e.g. Cruel Sports educated people about fox hunting.
• They promote and give a voice to minority groups, e.g. SHELTER represent homeless
• Allows for wider participation outside elections, e.g. Greenpeace members are able to directly participate and influence environmental policy
• They help to call govt to account by publisicising the effects of policy

Pressure groups threatens democracy:

• May not lead to a better informed electorate as campaigns only  provide one sided view.
• Some PGs are internally undemocratic, some PGs don't elect their leaders
• Prevent a democratically elected govt from carrying out its role with disobedience

Strengths of UK protection of rights:

• There is a strong common law tradition, which give ‘precedential weight’ to common law for consistent principles
• UK is subject to ECHR, protection of rights like fair trial, prohibition of torture and discrimination will remain secure
• The judiciary is known for its independence and upholding the rule of law even against the expressed views of govt and parliament
• The principle of equal rights is clearly established.

Weaknesses of UK protection of rights: 

• Common law can be vague and disputed. It can also be set aside by parliamentary statutes.
• Parliament remains sovereign, so can ignore ECHR and even repeal HRA
• Increasing pressure on govt due to international terrorism, to curtail rights. Rights of privacy, association, expression and eve freedom of prison without trial are threatened.
• There are constant conflicts between individual and collective rights: E.g. The right to privacy vs security services listening to phones for protection.