Living In A Democracy
Syllabus area 1: Living In A Democracy
- Created by: Emma
- Created on: 06-12-11 12:51
What Is A Democracy?
- Country governed by it's people
- Run by elected representatives
- Allows people to participate in important decisions
- People have rights that cannot be taken away
- People have responsibilities that balance their rights
- Regular elections
- A choice of political parties
- Freedom of speech within the media
How can people participate in politics?
- Voting
- Joining a political party
- Joining a pressure group
- Becoming a candidate
- Helping at elections
What is a representative?
- Usually chosen by the people
- A person who takes decisions on our behalf
- Examples include MPs, MSPs, councillors and trade union reps
What is a candidate?
- A candidate is a person who stands for election
- In the UK candidates can stand for the European Parliament, UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament or local government
- Candidates are chosen by the local party's selection panel
How can supporters help a political party during a
- Handing out leaflets
- Displaying posters e.g. on windows, lamp posts, or bumper stickers on cars
- Canvassing - asking people door-to-door who they intend to vote for
- Give lifts to known supporters of they can get to the polling station
- Help scrutinise the count
- Attend public meetings supporting the candidate, or criticising an opponent
- Writing letters to a local newspaper
Why are women under-represented in politics?
- The stereotyped attitude of some people who think that women should be kept busy at home
- Political parties can be male dominated. Some party members are misogynist i.e. they openly dislike women
- Westminster working hours are unsuitable for many women with families
- Women may take career breaks to look after their children. This means they could be out of active politics for a while
- Lack of suitable childminding and creche facilities at Westminster
Why are ethnic minorities under-represented in pol
- Political parties are usually dominated by white people
- Some members of political parities have racist views
- Some voters have racist views, and would not vote for a candidate of different ethnic background
- There has been a shortage of role models in the past
Why are people with disabilities under-represented
- Lack of suitable facilities at Westminster e.g. wheelchair access
- Some members of selection panels regard a disability as a drawback, which will make it harder to get the candidate elected
The First Past The Post Electoral System : Advanta
It is an easy system to understand
There is a direct link between the MP and the constituents
Extremist parties (e.g. Fascists and Communists) are unlikely to get MPs
Tends to produce an overall majority for one party, there is no need for compromises as you would have with a coalition government
The First Past The Post Electoral System : Disadva
Smaller parties are under-represented (e.g. Liberal Democrats), or are not represented at all (e.g. Green Party)
Encourages apathy as some people believe their vote is wasted in constituencies with a large majority (safe seats)
A party can have most of the MPs despite gaining less than half of the votes. In 2001 Labour received 42% of the votes, yet has 63% of the MPs
It can lead to sudden lurches in government policy after a general election
First Past The Post has been abandoned by other countries as being not fully democratic
The Additional Member Electoral System : Advantage
There is a more proportional link between votes and elected representatives
There still is a link between the MSP and the constituents
Smaller parties can get representation (e.g. Green Party, Scottish Socialist Party)
Some people feel their vote is less likely to be wasted
The Additional Member Electoral System : Disadvant
It tends to produce coalition governments, which would have to involve compromise
There are two types of MSPs - constituency MSPs and list MSPs - which can lead to conflict
Nobody votes for a coalition
Small parties, or even individuals, can hold the balance of power which gives them a lot of influence
How can backbench MPs and MSPs represent their con
Inside Parliament :
- Take part in debates
- Discuss legislation (laws) in committees
- Question the Prime Minister at Question Time (MPs), or the First Minister (MSPs)
- Question other Ministers (government leaders)
-
Outside Parliament :
- Attend meetings and surgeries
- Write and respond to correspondence
- Lobby (try to persuade) important decision takers
Why do people have a responsibility to vote?
If you don't vote you don't have the right to criticise what the government does
People have died in the past fighting for the right to vote
It will ensure that the UK and Scotland stay democratic
If the turn out is very low those elected may not represent the views of the electorate
Why may it be difficult for MPs and MSPs to repres
They may have to follow the party line, which can sometimes conflict with local issues
Their constituency party may support a particular point of view
Lobby groups such a businesses and trade unions will express their views
How can councillors represent the views of people
By debating and voting in committees and full council meetings
By working with council officials and departments
By lobbying influential people
Why may councillors be the best people to represen
Usually live in the ward they represent
Often work in jobs alongside the local people
They also use the council services they are responsible for
What are the benefits of being a member of a trade
Pay
Working conditions
Safety
Solving disputes
Equal rights
Financial services (e.g. loans)
Redundancy arrangements
Why do some people not join a union?
Because they are self-employed
Some employers have non-union agreements forbidding workers from joining a union
The cost of joining and remaining a member could be too high
Some well paid workers don't see the point
They can enjoy the benefits of pay rises and better working conditions negotiated by the unions without joining (freeloaders)
What actions can trade unions take?
Overtime ban - working only the hours specified in their contract with their employers
Work to rule - following every rule slavishly which has the effect of slowing down production
Strike - withdrawing labour - this can be short term (one day), selective (only one group within an organisation) or long term (until the end of the dispute)
Why will some workers not go on strike?
They believe it will badly affect others e.g. some nurses may not strike because of a possible affect on patients
They have signed a no strike agreement with the company
They will not get paid for the days they are on strike
How are trade union representatives selected?
It now must be by a secret ballot (vote), not by a show of hands which may be intimidating to some people
All paid-up union members are entitled to vote
Officials must stand for re-election on a regular basis
Why is the job of shop steward important?
The shop steward is the link between the workers and the management in the workplace
It is the first person to which a union member would take a grievance
They encourage new workers to join a union
They are the link between workers and full time union officials
They chair union meetings in the workplace
How can members participate in trade union activit
Paying union dues
Attending meetings
Electing shop stewards and other officials
Standing for election themselves
Participating in industrial action when required
What are pressure groups?
Organisations of people who believe in the same cause
They have strongly held views and wish to influence some aspect of society
Groups of people working together usually have more effect than individuals
What rights do pressure groups have?
They have the right to criticise the government
They have the right to hold meetings
They have the right to protest
They have the right to make their views known by using the media
What responsibilities do pressure groups have?
They have the responsibility to base their criticism on fact
Meetings should be peaceful and legal
They should inform the local authorities and the police when they are making a protest
They have a responsibility not to intimidate
What methods do pressure groups use?
Internet - email and web sites
Letters
Lobbying
Petitions
Demonstrations
Mass media campaigns (T.V., radio and newspapers)
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