qau1t1

=Questions and Answers - Unit 1, Theme 2=

Democracy and Participation
Home Politics

Questions

 * (a) 5 Point Questions:**

1.Define democracy. (W2003, W2006) * 2. Define representative democracy. (S2002, S2003) * 3.Define direct democracy. (S2004) * 4.Outline __two__ differences between direct democracy and representative democracy. (S2005) * 5.Distinguish between power and authority. (W2004) *


 * (b) 15 Point Questions:**

1.Outline the workings of any __three__ electoral systems currently used in the UK (S2002)1 2.How do elections promote democracy? (W 2003) * 3.What are the main features of democracy in the UK? (W2006) * 4.What are the features of representative democracy in the UK? (S2003) * 5.Explain the main features of representative democracy. (S2004) * 6.How has direct democracy been used more in the UK in recent years? (S2005) 2* 7.How does government acquire its legitimacy? (W2004) *

1.What has been the impact on parties of the use of proportional electoral systems in the UK? (S2002) 2. In what ways has democracy in the UK been criticised? (W 2003) * 3. To what extent has the UK political system become more democratic in recent years? (S2004) * 4.How democratic is government in the UK? (W2004) * 5. Assess the limitations of the UK democratic system. (W2006) * 6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of representative democracy in the UK? (S2003) * 7. What are the arguments for and against direct democracy? (S2005) *
 * (c) 30 Point Questions:**

**Indicative Content - A Guide to Answering**

 * (a) 5 Point Questions:**

//1. a) Define democracy.// Democracy is a system of rule based upon government of the people by the people and for the people. Its key principles are political equality, popular participation and government in the public interest. Democracy can either be direct, in which voters express views that will determine specific policy outcomes, or indirect in that representatives are elected to decide policy on the public’s behalf.
 * (4-5 )** should identify both direct and indirect democracy.
 * (2-3)** will describe either direct or indirect democracy.
 * (0-1)** will mention one aspect of democracy with little or no description.

//2. a) Define representative democracy.// Representative democracy is a form of indirect democracy in which professional politicians act for or on behalf of the people. This is typically expressed through a system of regular and democratic elections which enable politicians to be removed and made publicly accountable. Popular participation is thus indirect and irregular. It is sometimes linked to the idea of government ‘for’ the people.
 * (4-5)** should offer a clear definition of the concept.
 * (2-3)** may explain a partial definition of the term.
 * (0-1)** may only be a thin response.

//3. a) Define direct democracy.// Direct democracy implies that all citizens are involved in the decision making process and not elected representatives. Reference may be made to ancient historical examples, implying that direct democracy is not prevalent today.
 * (4-5)** will offer full understanding of the concept.
 * (2-3)** will offer a sound understanding of the concept.
 * (0-1)** will offer a limited understanding of the concept.

4. //a) Outline two differences between direct democracy and representative democracy.// Direct is where all citizens are involved in the decision making process and not elected representatives. Reference may be made to ancient historical examples, implying that direct democracy is not prevalent today. Representative democracy involves electing individuals to govern on behalf of citizens; it seeks to ensure that government and parliament reflect and respect the opinions of the people. Politicians seek Legitimacy from elections. Representative democracy is the prevalent form of democracy in the world today. Additionally, reference may be made to referendums.
 * (4-5)** will offer correctly two differences.
 * (2-3)** will offer correctly one difference.
 * (0-1)** will be very partial and incomplete, with a lack of understanding of both or either term.

//5. a) Distinguish between power and authority.// Power relates to the ability to get someone or a group of people to do what you want them to do- even if it is against their will. Authority implies the right to tell people what to do. Power might be based on the use of force. Authority may be based on tradition or the personality of a political leader. (**0-1)**will be thinner in description or partial.
 * (4-5)** should be clearly able to distinguish between the two concepts and identify how these might arise.
 * (2-3)** correctly explain either of the concepts.


 * (b) 15 Point Questions:**

2. b) //How do elections promote democracy?// Elections are democratic if they are based upon universal suffrage, political equality (one person, one vote; one vote, one value), electoral fairness and party //I// candidate competition. They promote democracy by ensuring a minimum level of popular participation (voting); by making politicians publicly accountable and removable; and by fostering representation in that elected politicians must be representative to public opinion.
 * (11-15)** should explain at least three forms of participation with some examples.
 * (6-10)** should describe at least two ways with an example.
 * (0-5)** may identify one form of participation which offers some explanation or two factors that are not explained.

3b) //What are the main features of democracy in the UK?// The UK is said to have a representative democracy which has a number of features. Representative democracy involves electing individuals to govern on behalf of citizens. It seeks to ensure that government and parliament reflect and respect the opinions of the people. Politicians in the UK seek legitimacy from elections, recent referendums, civil liberties and some aspects of pluralism. The UK House of Commons should also should reflect the make-up of society, both in terms of opinions and of social, ethnic and gender groups. In the British political system, MPs are not mere delegates. Politicians are elected to govern as well as represent and this may on occasions involve public opinion being overlooked. In addition to the idea of representative democracy, there is also the notion that the UK has also experienced aspects of direct democracy, through the greater use of referendums in recent years.
 * (11-15)** should identify a range of features with exampLes.
 * (6-10)** may explain fewer features with examples or more features and no examples.
 * (0-5)** may only be a thin response.

//4. b) What are the features of representative democracy in the UK?// Representative democracy involves electing individuals to govern on behalf of citizens and making them publicly accountable. The electoral system in the UK facilitates representative democracy because it is regular, competitive, free, fair and based on a universal franchise and political equality. Representation in the UK operates essentially through the doctrine of the mandate in which the winning party in a general election claims popular authority for carrying out its manifesto promises. Some reference may be made to the rival interpretations of representation (e.g. delegate versus representative theory).
 * (11-15)** should clearly explain three major features representative democracy in the UK.
 * (6-10)** should explain two features of representative democracy in the UK.
 * (0-5)** may only be a thin response.

//5 b)Explain the main features of representative democracy.// Representative democracy involves electing individuals to govern on behalf of citizens; It seeks to ensure that government and parliament reflect and respect the opinions of the people. Politicians seek legitimacy from elections. Our representative assembly should also should reflect the make up of society, both in terms of opinions and of social, ethnic and gender groups. There is a sense however that representatives are not mere delegates. Politicians are elected to govern as well as represent and this may on occasions involve public opinion being overlooked.
 * (11-15)** A range of features of representative democracy will be explained.
 * (6-10)** A range of less-well explained features or one feature explained.
 * (0-5)** Level one answers may only be a thin response.

6. //b) How has direct democracy been used more in the UK in recent years?// Direct democracy has been more widely used mainly through the greater use of referendums. There have been referendums on Scottish and Welsh devolution in 1997, as welL as a referendum in Northern Ireland on the Belfast Agreement in 1998. In 1999, Londoners were asked in referendums whether they wanted an elected mayor and a - new London-wide assembly. There have been numerous referendums on the issue of directly elected mayors across the country. There has also been a referendum on the issue of a North-East regional assembly. In addition there is the promise of a referendum on the issue of the proposed EU constitution and if the government decide the time is right on the issue of the single European currency. Reference could be made to the recent consultation exercises undertaken by the government to gauge public opinion.
 * (11-15)** should identify and explain a range of circumstances where direct democracy has been more widely used.
 * (6-10)** may explain fewer examples of direct democracy.
 * (0-5)** may only be a thin response with little range and explanation.

//7. b) How does government acquire its legitimacy?// In western democracies, governments acquire legitimacy from elections. The increasing use of referendums may also be used to legitimise particular policy decisions. Governments may also activate consultation mechanisms with both parliament and the people in order to promote certain issues (the issue of Green Papers for example). During periods of political instability or in times of war, governments may seek to bypass the usual democratic devices, and use patriotism or arguments of national survival and external threats as the basis upon which they continue to govern (general elections were effectively suspended for most of the Second World War).
 * (11-15)** should be able to explain three factors with examples.
 * (6-10)** should be able to explain two factors with examples.
 * (0-5)** will be more limited in scope.


 * (c) 30 Point Questions:**

2. c) //In what ways has democracy in the UK been criticised?//

Democracy may be criticised because citizens do not take a full part in the democratic process. Referendums have been used infrequently in the UK. The representative process is flawed in key respects. The electoral system is unfair to some parties. The House of Commons does not reflect the social composition of the country and the Lords and the head of state are unelected. The party system offers voters only a limited choice (two-party system). Pressure groups may also reflect the interests of privileged groups rather than the public at large.
 * (21-30)**should explain at least four arguments, supported by appropriate evidence.
 * (11-20)** should explain two arguments with evidence.
 * (0-10)** may offer a point or may simply identify points with no explanation.

3. //c) To what extent has the UK political system become more democratic in recent years?// A need to focus on some of the developments in UK democracy in recent years include the introduction of proportional electoral systems for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and European Parliament. The introduction of devolved government to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, strengthening representative democracy there. The stage 1 reforms to the second chamber and the partial abolition of hereditary peers. The introduction of the Human Rights Act and the Freedom of Information Act. The FPTP system remains an undemocratic feature of elections to the House of Commons. In addition certain minority groups in the country are under-represented in the House of Commons (eg ethnic minorities). Declining electoral turnout undermines government legitimacy. The House of Lords remains unelected and arguably undemocratic. The use of referendums.
 * (21-30)** should explain a range of issues on both sides of the debate.
 * (11-20)** should explain fewer developments which is more partial or a range of unexplained points.
 * (0-10)**are likely to be very partial or thin responses.

//4 c) How democratic is government in the UK?// Arguments in favour of UK democracy include regular elections that are free and fair; virtually everyone over 18 can vote in elections. Political parties are free to organise themselves and offer choice of representatives. Elected representatives are accountable through elections. Government is answerable to parliament for its actions. Recent electoral developments, including the introduction of proportional systems have also strengthened representative democracy in Scotland and Wales. Declining participation rates are a threat to the legitimacy of government and to our representative democracy. The electoral system for Westminster elections continues to return parliaments that are unrepresentative of the wishes of the voter. Political parties have been slow in the encouragement of greater _ minority, ethnic and gender diversity in the House of Commons.
 * (21-30)** should explain at least two advantages and two disadvantages of democracy.
 * (11-20)** should have three points covering both the disadvantages and advantages of democracy.
 * (0-10)** are likely to be very partial or thin.

5 c) //Assess the limitations of the UK democratic system.// It is argued that there are several limitations placed on the UK’s democratic system. These include such things as the faults with FPTP electoral system for Westminster elections; the noted tack of a codified constitution and an entrenched Bill of Rights; the House of Commons tacks a fully representative basis in many areas. The continued existence of the House of Lords without any elected members may also be noted. Alongside this there is criticism related to the nature of Parliamentary Sovereignty, executive dominance and fatting turnout in elections and political party membership. On the other hand, the democratic system is not seen as having severe limitations. There are regular free and fair elections. Participation in pressure group activity is healthy and there is renewed strength in third party fortunes. Devolution has renewed the UK’s democratic system with its associated PR electoral system and the reforms made to the House of Lords are aimed at giving the House more democratic credentials. The more frequent use of referendums may also be noted. In addition, the Human Rights Act (compared to the previous situation) and the Freedom of Information Act may be cited.
 * (21-30)** should offer a balanced argument using a range of points with examples.
 * (11-20)** should explain fewer points with examples or be a one-sided response.
 * (0-10)** are likely to be very partial or thin.

6 c) //What are the advantages and disadvantages of representative democracy in the UK?// The advantages of representative democracy include that it ensures that it is a more realistic or practicable form of democracy; that it allows for a division of labour in politics which relieves the public of the burden of day-to-day decision-making; and that it allows government decisions to be made by professional politicians who have greater experience and are better informed than the general public. At the same time it ensures some level of popular participation and a high level of public accountability. Recent electoral developments, including the introduction of proportional systems have also strengthened representative democracy in Scotland and Wales. It’s disadvantages include that it permits only indirect and irregular popular participation, and can lead to politicians and governments seeming remote from the general public. This has been reflected in declining turnout levels in elections and declining party membership. Moreover, women and minority groups are clearly under-represented in representative bodies, and there is no means of forcing governments to keep their election mandates. The Westminster electoral system also delivers disproportional outcomes.


 * (21-30)** should clearly explain at least two advantages and two disadvantages of representative democracy.
 * (11-20)** should explain at least one advantage and one disadvantage of representative democracy.
 * (0-10)** are likely to be very partial or thin responses.

7c) //What are the arguments for and against direct democracy?// Arguments in favour of direct democracy include: it increases participation in politics, raises awareness and informs the public. Decisions are seen to be more legitimate. Direct democracy is a pure form of democracy. The arguments against include: in a society of tens of millions, sustained involvement in the decision making process is impossible for the large majority of citizens, hence the growth of representative systems. Direct involvement in the political process would slow down politics and would potentially damage democracy. The problems for referendums include the lack of technical knowledge on the part of citizens that limits their ability to take informed decisions. The democratic legitimacy of referendums may be questioned if the public are not presented with a balanced view of the issue. The influence of the media and of other business interests may be cited in respect of both referendums and more direct involvement in the political process. The potential conflict that may arise out of direct decisions being reached differing from the views of those democratically elected to govern.


 * (21-30)** should include a range of arguments on both sides of the debate with appropriate examples.
 * (11-20)** will either offer a partial response with examples or a balanced response tacking examples.
 * (0-10)** are likely to be very partial or thin responses.