Direct/Representative democracy

• Democracy is..

  • Of the people - people governing must be 'ordinary people'
  • By the people - people must have a say in choosing who rules over them
  • For the people - those in charge must govern in the interest if the people.
• Representative democracy: people elect representatives who take decisions on their behalf

  • Advantage: professional politicians make complex decisions
  • Disadvantage: Citizens are disengaged from politics
  • Advantage: Minority views are considered upheld
  • Disadvantage: Tightly controlled parties result in politicians lacking independence
  • Advantage: Elected politicians are held to account.
  • Disadvantage: Politicians are skilled at swerving accountability
  • Advantage: Most practical form of democracy
  • Disadvantage: Politicians are open to corruption and self-interest
• Features of representative democracy:

  • Election of representatives should be regular, UK, elections must be held every 5 years, using FPTP - disproportionate. Results are legally binding
  • Civil liberties must be protected, (e.g freedom of assembly, press etc.) There are established rights + freedoms enshrined in UK law, HRA 1998
• Features of representative democracy:

  • Elections must be contested by numerous political parties (Labour Conservative, Lib Dem)
  • An Assembly exists - that reflects the make up of society and passes laws.
  • Pressure freely exist + put forward their views (pluralism)
  • An independent Judiciary should exist (Constitutional Reform Act 2005)
• Direct democracy: the people make decisions for themselves. In its purest form, there is no government

  • Citizens can become apathetic if they are asked to participate too often
• Representative democracy: Trustee model (Burke)

  • Representatives (MPs, for example) use their superior knowledge and experience to act for the people- they don’t just do what the people would want 
• How healthy is UK democracy?

  • Independent Judiciary: Constitutional Reform Act 2005. Separates law from politics. Supreme Court can perform judicial review
• Judicial review is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body. 
• Functions of democracy:

  • Representing the people
  • Holding those in power to account
  • Allowing for participation in the political process
  • Rights protection from the government
  • Ensuring an educated public
• Democratic legitimacy

  Power has been granted through a clear democratic process that is fair and meets the requirements of the democratic system.
• Turnout in recent elections (3)

  2019: 67.3%

  2017: 68.7%

  2015: 66.1%