Why is democracy important?

Protects freedomGovernments can not make decisions without the people's consent. Protects MinoritiesEveryone British adult can vote and stand for office-everyone is given a vote Controls government's powerBy holding them accountable to the people by re-elections and opposition parties scrutinizing them. Encourages participationAs people are given a voice, they can influence and make decissions.

Decisions are made not to benefit themselves but the wider public. Parliament is accountable to the people General people make important decisions either directly- referendums e.c.t or on our behalf - MP's e.c.t Being able to vote, participate in parties or pressure groups. Participatory democracy. Abraham Lincoln said:

Defination of democracy

Government FOR the people: Government BY the people: Government OF the people:
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What is it to be a citizin?
Rights To be a resident of the state To vote in elections Treated equally under the law Freedom of movement,religion, thought and expression Right to fair trial

Obligations To obey the law To accept the legitimacy of the government To pay taxes Join armed forces if conscripted

Labour- 1950- 800,000 members . 2010 200,000 members. Conservative: 1950 - 2.8 million members. 2010- 300,000 members.
Party membership General election results

Turnout is falling!

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1979 76% 2001 59% 2005 61% 2010 65%

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Increasing participation continued

Lessons in schoolEducate people from a younger age my get them more interested in politics. However this could bore children and turn them even more off politics. Plus the problem of biased teachers.

Change the voting systemPossibly to AV, so that smaller parties can win more seats and people don't feel their votes are 'wasted'.

Using more referendumsCould make people feel more involved in politics and used to voting. However this could undermine the governments authority and general elections could be taken less seriously.

By texting your vote or by the internet ( this could lean to security issues). Make voting easierFrom 18 to 16. There is an argument 16 year olds are not mature enough. However it is important to note 16 year olds pay taxes through V.A.T and can join the army. Reduce voting ageExample- Australia. However you can argue it is against our human rights and may add increase to turnouts but not legitimacy as people will vote without thinking if they do not care. Voting made compulsory-

How to increase political participation?

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Direct democracy and referendums

What is Direct Democracy? Involves any direct decision making by the people Often referendums are used as they are the purest form of direct democracy. But since 2007 e-petitions are being frequently used more to influence parliament. What are referendums? Citizens are asked a pre-determined question of public importance. UK referendums are practically binding as parliament would never reject them. Always a 'yes' or 'no' question Normally one question asked ( apart from the Scottish parliament referendum of 97 that had two)

yes- 33% no- 68% turnout- 42%

2010- Should we change the voting system to AV?

yes- 72% no- 28% turnout 34% 1998- Are you in favour for a Greater London mayor and a separate elected assembly? yes- 67% no- 33% turnout- 65% 1975- Do you think the UK should stay in the European Community?

Important Referendums
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Arguements for and against referendums.

Arguments for They are the most direct and pure form of democracy People may be more likely to respect and conform to decisions they have

made themselves. They represent true government by consent. Prevent governments making unpopular decisions. They made resolve and unite parties who can not make a decision example: EC referendum of 1975 reunited a split labour government.
They entrench constitutional change ( decisions made by a referendum will

only be changed by another referendum)

Arguments against

Arguements for and against referendums.

Minorities will suffer from the tyranny of the majority

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They may undermine the government and representatives. Meaning people will not respect their knowledge and authority. Issues may be too complex for people to understand. They may produce an emotional instead of rational response (Iraq war) Media may influence the public and effect their judgement. Unpopular governments may be voted against for their unpopularity then the issue at hand.
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Party delegation- is the control and influence a party leader has over a MP's decisions. This means there are practically no independent MP's.

Parliamentary democracy in the UK

Parliament is the source of all political authority and without its support decisions can not be made The government is accountable to parliament and the party in power will be scrutinized by the other parties to keep them in line.

All citizens are represented through their MP's

Parliament keeps a party to their mandate making sure it is not abused or to step outside their mandate- in theory

Parliament is expected to represent the national interests

Only when the party whips are called off can a MP 'free vote' to their own will. The idea that MP's must make decisions based on their constituency's behalf. But often they have to consider their own party and their own opinion. In the UK we have parliamentary representation

parliamentary representation
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Many people would rather turn to pressure groups, as they accurately and precisely represent people's views. All mainstream parties claim to represent the whole nation, but really they represent the middle class as this is the majority and this it where they can get the majority of the votes.

Representative democracy in the UK

Each MP represents a constituency and should represent their constituency in decision making. Parliament in theory are expected to represent the society as a whole- not to benefit themselves.

However parliament can not claim to represent society as a whole ... women only represent 22% of the house of commons and 21% of the house of lords, although they make 51% of the population. Ethnic minorities only represent 4% of the house of commons and the house of lords, although they make 8% of the population.

How parties represent us.

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Is Britian a Liberal Democracy?

Accountability- The government is accountable to the people to ensure they act in the public interest. Free and fair elections- Every Adult can vote and run for office so everyone has a voice. However we can not say everyone is represented as minorities or not prominent in parliament. Also the FPTP system is not far for small parties and constituencies with 'safe seats', these result in 'wasted votes' and not everyone's views are being represented. Transfer of power and election results are accepted- In the UK all parties accept election results and the governments legitimacy. Information- The government doesn't sensor the media, so the public are open to a wide range of political views and news. Plus this offers a chance for the media to constantly scrutinize the government.

Direct vs. representative democracy

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Is Britian a Liberal Democracy? continued...

Rights- The UK is signed up to the European convention on human rights to protect human rights. However the government can refuse these rights in the interests of national security or law and order Limited government- Unlike the USA we do not have a constitution which can be good or bad. Bad- Fundamental laws are not safeguarded a government in power can do whatever they want. Good- Governments can change old and outdated laws that the public do not agree with. Tolerance- Britain is tolerant to someone's beliefs and philosophies as long as it does not pose a threat to nation security, law and order and the governments authority.

3. Devolution and constitutional reforms. 2. Parliamentary and constitution reforms 1. Engage young people with the democratic process Main ways to reduce these problems. 3. The increased centralisation of power that is insufficiently accountable within the government. 2. The persistence of undemocratic institutions within the system of the government. 1. Falling political participation Does Britian have a democratic deficit?

A democratic deficit is considered to be occurring when governments are seen to be falling short of fulfilling the principles of the parliamentary democracy.

democratic deficit
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