Democracy and Political Participation

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  • Created by: tgrev
  • Created on: 24-04-17 17:18
What is legitimacy?
Widely recognised authority, the right to exercise power
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3 ways consent can be conferred
1. Free elections 2. Good turnouts in elections 3. Distinct law of popular dissent
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What is citizenship
1. The enjoyment of civil liberties 2. Right to carry out duties or obligations e.g politically active
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What is democracy?
Any system of government when the people have the access to independent information and are able to influence govt decisions, accountable to people
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3 features of a modern democracy
1. Peaceful transition of power 2. Free and fair elections 3. People have access to independent infomation
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3 features of direct democracy
1. People themselves make decisions 2. People are directly consulted on decisions 3. People may take initiative in creating change
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3 features of representative democracy
1. People elect representatives 2. People delegate power to reps 3. There are political parties that rep different views
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3 ways representation works in the UK
1. Operates through MP's, constituent link 2. Through parties, rep sections and particular views 3. Through pressure groups
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3 features of pluralist democracy
1. Multiple parties and associations are allowed to operate 2. Different political beliefs are permitted and allowed to flourish 3. Many sources of indie info
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3 features of liberal democracy
1. Individuals are well respected 2. Strong constituents limit government power 3. High political toleration
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3 pros of representative democracy
1. Most don't have time for political engagement so reps work on their behalf 2. Reps may have more knowledge/xp 3. Reps are accountable
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3 pros of direct democracy and referendums
1. Important decisions cab be strengthened with peoples consent 2. Referendums can educate the public 3. Allows direct participation
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3 cons of representative democracy
1. May be difficult to make reps accountable inbetween elections 2. Reps may ignore constituents for personal gain 3. May lead to conflict only amendable through direct democracy
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3 cons of direct democracy and referendums
1. Issues may be too complex for public 2. People may vote emotionally 3. Low turnout could derive from voter fatigue
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3 examples of the use of referendums
1. AV vote 2011 - vote no 2. Brexit vote 2016 - vote yes 3. Good friday ref - vote yes
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3 ways democracy can be enhanced
1. Voting in local elections 2. Referendum votes 3. Taking part in political consultation exercises
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3 examples of decline in political participation
1. Declining turnout 2. Falling party membership since the 80's 3. Activism in political parties decreasing
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3 Arguments for using compulsory voting
1. Turnout increased 2. Forces political thought 3. Results have more legitimacy
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3 Arguments against compulsory voting
1. Abuses political freedoms 2. Results may be seen as unofficial 3. Costly
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Arguments for votes at 16
1. Makes the young politically aware 2. Improves political identification 3. Makes political education relevant
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Arguments against voting at 16
1. 16 may be too young 2. Many may not vote 3. There may be a distortion of party policies to attract the young
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2 Arguments for citizenship ed
1. Improves political knowledge 2. Encourages engagement
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3 Arguments for E-democracy
1. Greater access 2. Promotes more direct democracy 3. May increase turnout
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3 Arguments against E-democracy
1. Vulnerable 2. False info may easily circuit 3. Excludable to technologically retarded
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3 Examples of increasing political participation
1. Pressure groups are growing 2. Increased campaigning through social media 3. Growth in direct action
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3 positives of democracy in the UK
1. Regular elections 2. Free media and indie info 3. Various freedoms e.g to vote, stand for office
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3 negatives of UK democracy
1. Unelected institutions persist 2. FPTP makes elections unfair 3. PM has unmatched power
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3 arguments for replacing monarch with elected head of state
1. Head of state has democratic legitimacy 2. Head of State is accountable 3. Could settle political deadlock
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3 arguments agaisnrt replacing monarch with elected head of state
1. May destabilise politics 2. Too much power to majority party 3. UK loses important piece of history
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2 Arguments for elected second chamber
1. Increase legitimacy 2. Effective check on govt
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2 Arguments against elected second chamber
1. Less independent 2. Might check govt excessively
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3 Arguments for reforming electoral system
1. Alternate systems would be fairer, less wasted votes 2. Commons may be politically representative 3. Increase democratic legitimacy
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3 Arguments against reforming electoral system
1. Prop rep would remove constituency link 2. Unpredictable consequences 3. Voters may find it difficult to adapt
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Arguments fro increased use of referendums
1. Increase political awareness 2. Purer democracy 3. Increase participation
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Arguments against referendum use
1. May result in voter fatigue 2. May find electoral issues harder to understand 3. Tyranny of the majority, minorities ignored
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Arguments for introducing codified const
1. Stop excessive power drift to the PM 2. Make citizens aware of political system 3. Rights and freedoms better protected
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Arguments against introducing codified const
1. Loss of flexibility 2. Destroy political traditions and so reduces public attachment 3. Too much power on unelected judges
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Arguments for decentralising
1. Small scale = more democratic 2. Govt closer to the people 3. Strengthen local committees
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Arguments against decentralising
1. Variable state provision 2. Local govt may be taken less seriously 3. Tensions between local and regional govts may increase
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

3 ways consent can be conferred

Back

1. Free elections 2. Good turnouts in elections 3. Distinct law of popular dissent

Card 3

Front

What is citizenship

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is democracy?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

3 features of a modern democracy

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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