Current systems of democracy

• What is direct democracy?


  Citizens vote directly on decisions
• What is a risk associated with direct democracy?

  Tyranny of the majority
• What is representative democracy?

  Citizens elect representatives to make decisions
• What is a key feature of representative democracy?

  Ensures accountability through elections
• What is the dominant model in modern democracies?

  Representative democracy
• What do local councillors handle?

  Local issues like parks and health
• What is combined representation in the UK?

  Larger urban areas with shared governance
• What are the devolved assemblies in the UK?

  Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland assemblies
• What are the advantages of representative democracy?

  • Representatives develop expertise
  • Acts dispassionately
  • Practical for implementing public opinion
• What are the disadvantages of representative democracy?

  • Risk of ignoring constituents
  • Public disengagement
  • Limited accountability between elections
• What are the advantages of direct democracy?

  • Purest form of democracy
  • Educates citizens
  • Fosters accountability
• What are the disadvantages of direct democracy?

  • Public may lack knowledge
  • Emotions may sway decisions
• What are the features of a liberal democracy?

  • Free, fair elections
  • Peaceful power transition
  • Political participation
  • Freedom of expression
  • Rule of law
  • Rights protection
  • Independent judiciary
• Since when has the UK been a liberal democracy?

  Since the 18th century
• What is debated regarding the UK's liberal democracy?

  Reforms like House of Lords and FPTP
• What varies in size in the UK representative democracy?

  Constituencies
• What is the role of political parties in the UK?

  Central to representation and governance
• What is a common outcome of the UK's political system?

  Single-party governance
• What are pressure groups?

  Groups influencing policy on specific issues not seeking power or authority themselves
• What are examples of pressure groups?

  BMA and Friends of the Earth
• What are the democratic flaws in the UK?

  • FPTP creates a democratic deficit
  • House of Lords is unelected yet influential
  • Parliamentary sovereignty gives government power
• What are the proposed democratic reforms in the UK?

  • Replace FPTP with proportional representation
  • Create a codified English constitution
• What forms of political participation exist in the UK?

  Voting, party membership, campaigning, digital activism
• What is the most common form of political participation?

  Voting
• What trend undermines democracy in the UK?

  Declining participation in elections
• What was the turnout for the 2019 and 2024 general election?

  67.3% and 59.8%
• What are the changing participation trends in the UK?

  • Declining political party memberships since the 1950s
  • Shift toward non-party engagement
  • Increased use of pressure groups and e-petitions