Democracy paper 1

• It is the transition if power from one government the the next, which must be peaceful.

  The people have influence, either direct or indirect over political decisions.

  The rights and freedoms of the people should be represented by government.

  Government should operate within the rule of law, where all are equal under the law and government itself is subject to the same laws as people
• Advantages of Direct Democracy

  • everyone in society participated
  • people make decisions in their interests
  • all citizens voices are equal
  • purest form of democracy
• Where does direct democracy exist?

  Direct democracy currently does not exist in any country.
• Democracy, people are involved in their own rule

  "democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people." - Abraham Lincoln.

  Of the people, people governing must be "ordinary people"

  By the people, people must have a say in who rules over them.

  For the people, those in charge must govern in the interests of the people.
• what is democracy?

  • Governments and all elected bodies or individuals are made accountable to the people.
  • Elections should be held regularly, free and fair and their should be universal adult suffrage.
  • people should be free to form political parties & other associations and to stand for elective office.
  • The people should have access to independent information and opinion
• what is democracy? 


  It is the transition if power from one government the the next, which must be peaceful.

  The people have influence, either direct or indirect over political decisions.

  The rights and freedoms of the people should be represented by government.

  Government should operate within the rule of law, where all are equal under the law and government itself is subject to the same laws as people
• Disadvantages of direct democracy

  • impractical - all citizens need to be involved in decision making process.
  • Citizens become apathetic if they are asked to participate too often
  • people will vote in their own interests, not society
  • no minority will be heard creating tyranny of the majority.
• Athenian Democracy 


  In Ancient Greece, only male citizens over the age of 18 could vote or speak in the assembly, which met 2-3 months and could hold 6,000 people. 500 citizens, who served a year decided the topics to be discussed. Any citizen could spek in the assembly and vote, the majority was final. They had a president in which was voted by the 500 citizens, president organised the proceedings and assessed the voting. the assembly could vote to banish any citizen that had become too powerful and dangerous.
• Athenian Democracy 


  the Assembly formed around 30,000 people, regularly attended by 3000. sometimes attendees would be paid in order to encourage citezens who lived far away or could not take the time to attend. Thucydides, an Athenian historian stated "we alone consider a citizen who does not partake in politics useless."

  they had checks and balances to prevent abuse of power. they stuck to strict term limits and was difficult for an individual or small group to dominate. corruption was reduced as no one knew who would be sleected to serve next.
• representative democracy 


  it is indirect democracy, the people elect representatives who take decisions on their behalf.
• Advantages of Representative democracy

  • professional politicians make complex decisions.
  • minority views are considered and upheld
  • elected politicians are held to account by the people
  • most practical form of democracy
• disadvantages of Representative democracy

  • citizens are disengaged from politics
  • tightly controlled parties result in politicians lacking independence
  • Politicians are skilled at swerving accountability and passing the buck
  • Politicians are open to corruption and self interest
• Is the UK government accountable to the people? 


  yes, there is a vote of no confidence.

  Bojo got fined and forced to resign from PM, in 2022
• are UK elections free and fair? 


  Yes, they are held every 5 years, there is anonymity while voting and there are multiple parties to choose from.
• do individuals have access to information and opinion in the UK?


  yes, Mps have to declare what they earn to the public, shows transparency. Galleries are also open to the public to watch
• In the UK can people form different political opinions?


  Yes there is unbiased and biased news on the media, there are multiple votes for parties and there are multiple parties to vote for.
• does the power from one government to another transfer peacefully in the UK?

  yes, the new PM is voted for and the previous PM has to leave peacefully.
• does the government operate within the rule of law? 


  No, the PM (BJ) broke the laws set out by him during 2020 and 2021. not following the laws of the UK. there was als the MP scandal where MPs were spending their allowance on other things, not the 2nd house they were meant to buy. this meant they had to be held accountable where MPs now have to publicise all their expense claims.
• do the UK people have influence over political decisions? 


  yes they have the right to create indirect influence, such as protests or creating groups. as well as being able to directly persuade people, lobbying -> pressure groups form under indirect.
• do the uk people have rights to freedoms? 


  yes, freedom of speech, NHS and free press
• is the UK a representative democracy? 


  Constitutional checks exist to prevent a concentration of government power:

  
  

  This is to hold them accountable, meaning it has it power limited in some ways this happens by our freedom of speech and free press. However representatives may not make themselves accountable enough between elections and can only be removed by elections if they lose the respect of the people
• is the UK a representative democracy? 


  an assembly exists which reflects the make-up of society and passes laws:

  
  

  Representatives ensure the interests of all sections of society (including minorities) are taken into account, and can be held accountable for their decisions.

  Parliament does not represent our reflection of society, most of the people come form oxford and Cambridge or privately educated.
• is the UK a representative democracy? 


  pressure groups should have the opportunity and freedom to put forward their views:

  
  

  Pressure groups are good because people can get their views across via leaflets, organising petitioned and lobbying. However some pressure groups (insider pressure groups) work closely with the government and can influence their decisions.
• is the UK a representative democracy?

  an independent judiciary should exists:

  
  

  An independent judiciary is one of the corner stones of the UK constitution. This means that the judiciary is not influenced by the external pressures, whether they be wealthy individuals, the media, powerful politicians or the government
• is the UK a representative democracy? 


  the election of representatives should be regular, competitive and secret, and carried out without force and with universal suffrage:

  In which the people vote for the government through regular elections, street ballots and a choice of candidates. The government is accountable to the people and has its power limited by the free press and the individual rights of the people
• is the UK a representative democracy


  civil liberties must be protected, e.g. freedom of assembly, press, etc:

  This is a feature of democracy because of the human rights act and for people to hold the government accountable are freedom of assembly and free press has to be protected

  Independent press - print stories and can print information as long as it is correct
• is the UK a representative democracy


  elections must be contested by numerous political parties:

  Yes, in order for it to be a democracy, their has to be many political parties for fair vote and views as well as peoples views being able to be represented in parliament. Labour, conservatives, green party ect.
• How effective are elections in the UK? 


  They are free and fair, based on universal franchise/suffrage, choice and party competition.
• How effective are elections in the UK?

  FPTP has strengths such as simplicity, speed, constituency-MP link.
• How effective are elections in the UK?

  the use of proportional representation for devolved elections is an improvement.
• what are the concerns for elections in the UK?

  FPTP is disproportional and leaves minor parties under-represented. also leads to wasted voted

  
  

  2015 - 50% of votes cast were for a losing candidate
• what are the concerns for elections in the UK? 


  Turnout is not high but is inline with many other western democracies.

  
  

  69% in 2017
• what are the concerns for elections in the UK?

  the health of representative democracy has been called into question by general apathy towards politics
• what rights do citizens have in the UK? 


  Freedom of information act 2000:

  allows for public access to files from any government body. any person can request information and has a right to have that information given to them. it was also introduced to create a more open system of the government, and gave citizens the 'right to know' information regarding how and who made decisions. However it has many exceptions to it, such as if it affects national security.
• what rights do citizens have in the uk? 


  Human Rights Act 1998: it is not fully entrenched and the gov can ignore its rulings.

  citizens can now challenge laws in the UK courts rather than having to go to the European Court of Human Rights.

  UK courts can issue 'declaration of incompatibility', which can put pressure on the government to back down.

  the act incorporated the European convention of Human rights 1950 into UK law. The ECHR is also nothing to do with the EU and Brexit has had no affect on the HRA and the ECHR.
• how well are citizens represented in the UK?

  Parliament can be effective in holding the government to account as it is dominated by a government with an overall majority.
• how well are citizens represented in the UK?

  all citizens are represented by an MP and can expect their concerns to be taken up
• how well are citizens represented in the UK? 


  The UK parliament represents constituents and holds the government to account on behalf of the electorate.
• how well are citizens represented in the UK?

  the unelected HOL has the ability to delay laws
• how well are citizens represented in the UK? 


  many MPs can ignore constituents concerns because they hold 'safe seats' and want to remain loyal to their party.