Democracy and Pressure Groups Flashcards

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Zoha Naser
Flashcards by Zoha Naser, updated more than 1 year ago
Zoha Naser
Created by Zoha Naser over 6 years ago
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DEMOCRACY a system where power is held by 'the people'
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY (also known as pure democracy) a form of democracy where the people elect a person or group of people to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf.
DIRECT DEMOCRACY a system where the people are able to make decisions directly on an issue, usually in the form of a 'yes' or 'no' response.
LIBERAL DEMOCRACY in this form of democracy the right to vote will be widespread and representatives will act in the interests of everyone in society.
MAJORITARIAN DEMOCRACY this is a system whereby the will or desires of the majority of the population are the prime considerations of the government.
PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY this is a system where parliament stands as the highest form of authority. The executive branch will be drawn from and accountable to the people's representatives in parliament.
PRESIDENTIAL DEMOCRACY this is a system where the executive will be elected separately from the legislative body and is therefore chosen and directly accountable to the people.
PLURALIST DEMOCRACY a system of government where there is competition between different groups who represent popular concerns to the government of the day.
INITIATIVE a means by which the people, rather than the government, can call for a vote on a specific issue.
PETITION an appeal to make something specific happen, usually by demonstrating a high level of popular support.
FUNCTIONS OF DEMOCRACY -education -legitimacy -representation -accountability -participation -power dispersal
PURDAH a phrase to describe the period the period before an election or vote where members of local councils or government are not allowed to make any new statements or proposals that could affect the way in which people vote. This period is usually between 4-6 weeks.
PRESSURE GROUP a group of like-minded individuals whoo come together on the basis of shared interests or a commonly held clause in order to put pressure on policy-makers at Westminster and beyond.
TURNOUT the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in a particular election.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION created in 2000. Independent from government and party influence, has the key responsibility of overseeing and strengthening democracy in the UK.
SPENDING LIMITS FOR CAMPAIGNS IN THE UK? -England: £810,000 -Scotland: £120,000 -Wales: £60,000 or £30,000 x the number of seats your party is contesting in each part of Great Britain.
WHAT DOES CAMPAIGN SPENDING INCLUDE? -items/services bought before the regulated period begins, but used during it. -items/services given to the party free of charge or at a non-commercial discount or more than 10%.
DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT a term used to describe the undemocratic nature of institutions or procedures that are supposed to promote democracy.
PARTICIPATION CRISIS a term used to describe a failure of the public of the public to participate in the political process, which can undermine democratic legitimacy.
SUFFRAGE / FRANCHISE having the right to vote in political elections.
SUFFRAGISTS The National Union for Women's Suffrage Societies. a pressure group that fought for equal voting rights for all.
SUFFRAGETTES Women's Social and Political Union. a pressure group who branched out from the suffragists and used more violent tactics (e.g. setting post boxes on fire and breaking windows) to fight for female suffrage.
DEVOLUTION the delegation of power to other assemblies. In 1997, to the Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish assemblies. In 2000, to London. 30 deals have been further granted: 26 in England, 3 in Scotland and 1 in Wales. This gives larger areas more control in their areas e.g. money spending.
A CASE STUDY FOR VOTES FOR PRISONERS Hirst v UK, 2005. Taken to the European Court of Human Rights in 2005.
HOUSE OF COMMONS the lower chamber in the bicameral system of the United Kingdom. Members of this house are elected.
HOUSE OF LORDS the upper chamber in the bicameral system of the United Kingdom. Seats here used to be mostly hereditary but now this has been dropped and now members are selected by a committee.
SALISBURY DOCTRINE the convention that ensures that a major government bill can get through the Lords when the government of the day has no majority in the Lords. In practice, it means it means that the Lords don't try to vote down a 2nd or 3rd reading, a government bill mentioned in an election manifesto.
SLACKTIVISM having a superficial level of participation e.g. a like on twitter.
CHARTISTS wanted votes for all men. Emerged after voting reformations in 1832.
CORPORATISM the process of 'incorporating' different groups into the workings of government.
SOCIAL CAMPAIGNS CASE STUDY the social campaign "justice for the 96" following the Hillsborough Disaster on 1989.
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