others politcs topic 1

• democracy is the rule of people which can be indirect or direct
• types of democracy- liberal, majoritarian, pluralist, parliamentary, direct, indirect and presidential
• direct democracy is the when decisions are made directly by the people
• functions of democracy include- representation accountability, participation, power disposal, legitimacy and edcuation
• the uk is a representative democracy, representative means when the people elect a representative to make decisions for them this sis done by elections, parliment and devolved bodies
• direct democracy includes referendums, petitions, citizen juries and public consultations
• features of uk democracy- free and fair elections, high turnout, universal suffrage, party system, pressure groups, parliamentary sovereignty and devolution
• election are good due to them being regular however they dont elect the monarch and lords
• turnouts are increasing in general elections since 2001 however other elections are usually below 50%
• universal suffrage is good as anyone over the age of 18 with few exceptions can vote however 16 and 17 years olds cant vote, prisoners and often homeless people are excluded
• party system is good as the uk has multiple party systems however there are safe seats and also two party dominance
• pressure groups campaign for and protect minority interest however they act in own self interest rather than national good
• parliamentary sovereignty- is where they have the power to control the government however parliament is usually dominated by the government
• devolution helps to spread power to local communities however it has created a imbalance in the uk system via the west Lothian question
• electoral reforms help to gain fairer results however it can be confusing as there isn't a clear mandate
• compulsory voting- leads to a increased turnout however there can be informed voting
• elected lords- is more democratic however there can be a potential gridlock
• English devolution helps to solve the west lothian question however it can undermine parliment
• online voting can increase turnout however there could be fear for hacking and corruption
• codifying the constitution helps to limit the power of the government but it does increase the power of judicary
• state funding for parties leads to a fair competiton however extremist parties gain public money
• mandate is the legitimacy given to carry out manifesto promises