Edexcel- AS Government and Politics- Unit 1-Democracy
Slide 2
Representative Democracy
Advantages
people can elect a representative who acts on their behalf
representatives often have more knowledge and expertise
they can act more rationally than the public who may act emotionally
Representatives can educate the public on issues
They are accountable, where as the public is not
they can create a political programme
range of political views and beliefs and sections of society can be represented
e.g- MP's in the UK, party politics
Slide 3
Disadvantageselectoral mandate is flawed as people can only vote to accept or rejectrepresentatives may ignore the demands of the people in order for their own political gainif the party is dominant they may follow the party rather than the views of their peopleit is hard to make representatives accountable between electionse.g-low turnout at elections, 2010 British Coalition
Slide 4
Direct Democracy
Advantages
direct is the purest form of democracy
people can participate in politics and is good for citizenship
decisions are strengthened if they can get the direct consent of the public. Referendums can add legitimacy
important constitutional changes can be entrenched through referendum
if there is conflict over a decision then the people can give a consensus
Slide 5
Disadvantages
people may vote emotionally in a referendum (e'g-capital punishment) or the issue may be too complex (e.g-EU Ref-2016)
voters fatigue if there are too many referendums
minority views are overlooked by the will of the majority
there may not be acceptance of a result if it is close (e.g- 1997 Welsh ref on devolution, Eu ref 2016)
low turnout of a ref may mean the result lacks legitimacy (e.g-1998 London Mayor 34%)
people are not accountable
loss of respect for representatives if people are used to making their own decisions
Slide 6
Direct v Representative Democracy
Direct is the purest form of democracy
Direct is more about constitutional changes and reforms, where as representative is more about the day to day running
Representatives are accountable where as the people are not
Representative is more pluralist and a majority of views are represented but with direct only the will of the majority wins.
Referendums are more legitimate than decisions by representatives
Slide 7
Use of referendums in the UK
to resolve a disagreement by the government over an issue- EU referendum 2016 and AV electoral system 2011
to entrench a constitutional change-1997 devolved government in Scotland
constitutional change-1998 London Mayor ref