Government and Politics: people and politics

Created by: SKHSSTUDENT15
Created on: 26-05-16 20:14

Define democracy

power vested in people (directly or indirectly through representatives); democratic institutions

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Government of the people

elect officials to make decisions (MPs represent us in Parliament and MEPs in European and poltical parties; no direct say on key issues; individuals + association communicate interest to the legitimate bodies

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Government by the people

people vote on their own behalf that concerns them; referendums are a prime a example

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Government for the people

oppourntunities for thepeople to contribute to decsion making process; seeks to broaden range of opportunities;

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What is the importance of democracy?

establishes and protects human rights; democracy protects and involves minorities; Democracy disperses power; Democracy encourages mass participation (because people have a voice?); pluralism is enouraged;

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List and explain the benefits of democracy

educate and informs the people; stable govt.; encourages equality; safeguards interests rights of people

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Define Direct Democracy

People make important decisions by voting on them (referenda); derives from ancient Athens

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Features:

citizen make decisions themselves that affect them ; representatives (MPs) decide in the outcome; self-governing system; people engage in this process regularly

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What is a referendum?

'Yes' or 'No' vote on a single issue (Scottish referendum 2014); Most common form of direct democracy

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Features:

1. can be called at any time 2. yes or no answer 3. govt. doesn't have to honour results

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Advantages of referendum

1.Direct democracy in action; public has unmediated control over govt. policy 2. educates and informs citizens 3. Constitutional changes 4. people willing to accept and respect outcome 5.purist form of democracy 6.Responsive govt.

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Disadvantages of refrendum

1. ill-informed public make poor decision 2. Low voter turn out leads to unrepresentative results 3.Referedas used to express dissatisfaction with govt. of day 4. Undermines parliamentary sovereignty 5.Parliamentary government

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Why are referendum held?

1.Prevents Issues politicians from making ill-decision 2. People vote on issues that will personally affect them 3. Saves conflict and upholds peace

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Card 2

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Government of the people

Card 3

Front

people vote on their own behalf that concerns them; referendums are a prime a example

Back

Card 4

Front

oppourntunities for thepeople to contribute to decsion making process; seeks to broaden range of opportunities;

Back

Card 5

Front

Back

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Government and Politics: people and politics