representative/direct democracy

• what is representative democracy?

  MPs are elected by the people to represent them in parliament
• what are the advantages of a representative democracy?

  hold MPs accountable, politicians have expertise , balance conflicting interests
• What are the disadvantages of a representative democracy?

  MPs have other jobs , represent mainly the metropolitan elite , heavy influnce of party whips or lobbyists
• What is an example that MPs are out of touch with the public?

  74%= stay in Brexit , 52% of public is leave
• evidence. that MPs have other interests and responsibilities outside parliament ?


  Sir Geoffrey Cox earns an additional £900,000 from legal work

  2021:owen patterson lobbies for his company and resigns as an mp
• What are the examples of direct democracy?

  referendums , open primaries, e-petitions , recall of MPs , leadership elections
• Why can e-petitions raise false expectations ?

  there was 1 million signatures to revoke Tony Blairs knighthood , but can't be done as it bestowed by the monarch
• What are open primaries?

  when the public is given the opportunity to help chose candidates to run in an area
• examples of when open primaries are used?

  2015:13 conservative candidates chosen this way
• When has allowing party members to vote in leadership contest backfired?


  Liz Truss , is popular in party but not within parliamentary party
• recent recall pepttitions?

  peter bone (accused of sexual miconduct) , recall petition signed by over 10,000 people , by election is due
• consultive exercises are when public opinion is sought on proposed policies why may this be disadvantageous?

  under representative of socially disadvantaged / poor
• advantages of rep democracy`?

  improve voter turnout /public engagement , better informed public , educates public on political affairs
• disadvantages of rep democrcy?

  defies burkean principles , binary expression(yes/no), public make less informed decisions
• What is an example of direct democracy not balancing conflicting interests and defying the Burkean principle?

  2016-May supports remain campaign but is then leads gov drafting a exit plan
• What is the Burkean principle?

  the MP to act on their own conscience rather than always listening to constituents