Features (mostly representative dem.)

• What is direct democracy?

  A system of government where citizens directly participate by expressing their opinions in decision making and policy making processes.
• How has direct democracy returned in the modern day?

  Referendums
• What is representative democracy?


  A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
• What is legitimacy?

  The belief or acceptance that a government or ruler has the right to govern.
• Representative democracy ensures that those elected to positions of power and responsibility have to be held to account by the people
• What is accountability?

  Responsibility
• What does social representation imply?


  The characteristics of the members of representative bodies should be broadly in line with the characteristics of the population as a whole
• Social representation implies that representative bodies should be a microcosm of society as a whole
• Representing the national interest

  If representatives sit in the national Parliaments they are expected to represent the interests of the nation as a whole and do what they believe is right, rather than what the people may want
• Example of representing the national interest

  An MP representing a constituency near a major airport may be under pressure to oppose further expansion on the grounds of noise and pollution, but they may see it as in the national interest to expand that airport. (Boris Johnson 2012)
• Constituency representation may be seen in

  1. Representing the interests of the constituency as a whole
  2. Representing interests of individual constituents (redress of grievances)
  3. Representative listens to the views of their constituents when deciding about a national issue
• What is redress of grievances?


  It involves an MP pursuing a complaint that a constituent may have against a public body, usually claiming that they have been unfairly

  or unequally treated. MPs may lobby ministers and officials or raise the matter in the House of Commons.
• Party representaiton


  All modern democracies are characterised by the existence of political parties. The members of a party who are seeking to be elected will campaign on the basis of the party‘s manifesto. This means that they are representing their party and voters understand this.
• Occupational or social representation 


  Some elected representatives will represent not only their constituency or region, but also a particular occupational or social group. For example those who are supported by trade unions will often pursue the cause of groups of workers. (social groups such as elderly, disabled or LGBT)
• Example of causal representation


  Environmental protection, individual rights or freedoms, animal rights (most causal representation is carried out by pressure groups)