1.2: Democracy

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DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY a political system in which the supreme power lies with the public.

  • the government will never be able to make everybody happy.

There were significant protests against the 1997-2010 Labour government over issues such as the Iraq war, with millions of people marching in protests and visibly opposing government policy. There were widespread protests against the increase in tuition fees introduced by the coalition government (LD and Tory, elected 2010)

  • These protests demonstrate the strength of the UK's democratic freedom, but also demonstrates the limitations the government has to make everybody happy.

The government has not been supported by over 50% of voters since 1935, and the Conservatives won in 2015 with a majority of 36.8%.

  • DEMOCRACY CAN BE DEFINED BY:
    • peaceful transition of power after elections
    • free elections based on universal suffrage and secret ballots
    • equal vote for all adults
    • widespread participation in politics
    • no government censorship, freedom of expression / information
    • freedom of association (eg pressure groups provided their methods and aims are legal)
    • protected rights and liberties
    • rule of law upheld by independent judiciary
    • limit on what governments can do, may be defined in written constitution
  • UK ISN'T DEMOCRATIC BECAUSE:
    • the election method for MPs is held by many to be unfair
    • HoL is influential but unelected
    • parliamentary sovereignty theoretically gives government unlimited power (no written constitution, so limit of government power is vague)
    • PM power based on authority of an unelected monarch
    • the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights) is not binding on Parliament, which could threaten individual rights
    • Arguably, freedom of expression and information is still compromised because press is controlled by a handful of large organisations
    • voter turnout is too low to suggest widespread participation

DIRECT DEMOCRACY citizens give their views directly to authority, rather than it being channelled through a representative.

  • can only really operate in a small, uncomplex society.

Switzerland is the most prominent modern democracy to use elements of direct democracy. Only 2 out of 5 eligable voters vote though.

  • can lead to voter fatigue.
  • can make issues take longer to solve.
  • elements of direct democracy can also be seen in petitions and citizens' juries.

If an e-petition get 100 000 supporters, it's guaranteed a debate in Parliament. However, representatives/government still has the final say. A recent e-petition has involved the end of badger culling, and placing a limit on the insurance charges for young drivers.

  • purest form of democracy - the voice of the people.
  • means participants are better educated and engaged in political issues.

The UK has one way of using direct democracy - a referendum. REFERENDUM a single vote on a single issue.

  • used on a very limited scale.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY a system of government in which a legislature is freely elected and accountable to the people.

  • thus, the authority of the government derives from the consent of those it governs.
  • based on the principle of majority rule.
  • representatives should represent society at large in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, etc.
  • representative is expected to represent the national

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