key feature in UK representative democracy and is used at various levels of government. They represent an aspect of the free and fair section of democracy

Functions:

they provide choice for the electorate: elections are contested by parties who offer different programmes if they are placed in power / office. Elections serve to identify and secure that choice / option
legitimacy: elections are devices that allow governance to be fairly removed and to form. If a party wins an election it secures the right to govern. If a party loses an election it looses this right. Elections offer legitimacy. \
to educate and inform: Elections serve to 'showcase' the political spectrum in society: they allow for the display of mainstream politics and how elections are conducted services to engage and educate the general public. Citizens become informed of major issues concerning the state.
participation: to act as a way in which the general public can participate
representation: to allow different political parties and their views to be represented
mandate: for a region or the whole country --> right to govern and implement policies
accountability: to ensure the political parties are able to gain and lose power and be held accountable

	Created by Liv Pearce over 10 years ago

edexcel unit 1 politics