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Democracy (Power and Politics (General Rules (Are the rules that affect…
Democracy
Power and Politics
Power - is the ability to influence the behavior of other; decision making has the ability to affect public policy
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General Rules
Are the rules that affect how we interact more widely with other members of society; authority, legitimacy; upheld - police
Power and Authority
- The monarch: symbolic power, pass laws
- The Prime Minister: Can make changes to constitution, leads party and country, has influence in EU and UN
- An MP: can represent a constituency, vote in party about laws
- Judge: how people are sentenced and challenges the authority of the legislative body
- Civil Servants: uphold rules - schools, police etc.
- The voter: Chose which party representative gets a seat in parliament; represent the voters constituency
Definitions:
- Legislation: process of making laws; considered collectively
- Democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
- Suffrage: the right to vote in political elections
- Autocracy: Self-rule; rule by single person, exercises power in an arbitrary manner
- Authoritarianism: the practice of rule 'from above; gov that is imposed on citizens regardless of consent
- Limited Gov: restricted with reference to governing powers by limitations prescribed in laws and in a constitution
- Adjudication: interpreting laws
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State of Democracy in UK
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Referendums
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For:
- Direct Democracy
- Political Education
- Responsive Gov - listening to public
- Reduced Gov Power
- Constitutional Changes
Against:
- ill-informed decisions
- weakens parliament
- Irresponsible gov
- Strengthens Gov
- Unreliable views
Digital Democracy
For:
- Easier Participation
- Access of information
- Ease of organisation
Against:
- Electoral malpractice
- 'Virtual Democracy'
- Digital Divide
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Direct Democracy
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For:
- Can make decisions directly
- encourages greater political awareness
- truly represents the people
Against:
- Minority has no say
- extremely high costs involved
- Not everyone has the skills
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Voter Apathy
Reasons For:
- after 1992 election the turnout rate decreased dramatically from 75% to 60% in 2001 election
- lack of knowledge in the political parties
- Lack of confidence
- electoral system
- most people are not member's of parties
Reasons Against:
- last election was the highest turnout since 1997
- European elections peak at 35%
- Protesting
Main reasons:
- People loose trust with politicians
- have little knowledge
- how to particiate
- tactical voting
- voting system is undemocratic
How do elections promote democracy?
- citizens of state to vote for rep or directly a president
- People are allowed to voice opinion