DEMOCRACY

learning objectives • Define democracy and explain the forms it can take. • Explain the difference between direct democracy and

representative (or indirect) democracy. • Understand how citizens can participate in politics in

the UK effectively. • Understand the system of democracy in the UK.

learning objectives • Explain attempts to enhance democracy and

participation in the UK and analyse their success. • Understand the role referendums play in the UK

politics.

what is democracy?

Democracy Democracy is ‘rule by the people’ or ‘people power’. The term has its origin in the Greek word dēmokratia – a union of dēmos (meaning ‘people’) and kratos (meaning ‘power’.

Direct democracy Under a direct model of democracy, citizens are afforded a direct input into the policy-making process. In western democracies, a degree of direct democracy is often achieved through the use of referendums, where citizens are given the opportunity to vote on whether a specific proposal is adopted or rejected.

Representative democracy In a representative (or indirect democracy), citizens elect representatives who enact laws on their behalf. Under the representative model there is no obligation on the part of those elected to seek further approval from citizens before they introduce new policies. Representatives are held accountable through the ballot box at the next election.

Is direct democracy compatible with representative democracy?

yes Elected representatives often enjoy lengthy terms in office (up to 5 years in the case of UK MPs). Referendums and recalls make them more directly accountable between elections, thereby enhancing representative democracy.

yes Many MPs simply toe the party line and do as the whips tell them, rather than thinking for themselves and/or representing the interests of their constituents. Incorporating elements of direct democracy would remind representatives of who they were elected to serve.

no Those elected to office are given a mandate to act on behalf of voters, along the lines set out in their election manifestos. Representative democracy should not feel pressured into going back to the people in order to seek approval for specific policies.

n0 Elected representatives are often better informed than the general public. They have access to relevant research and are able to educate themselves on the merits and demerits of a particular course of action before casting their vote in parliament. It is nonsensical to leave key decisions to the broader public.

no Representative democracy allows parliament to implement policies that are necessary but unpopular – the kinds of things that would not secure support if put to a public ballot.

yes Conventional representative democracy limits the opportunities for meaningful participation between elections. It is also said to contribute to political apathy. Wider use of referendums and more ‘direct’ tools may simulate participation and public debate; thus reinvigorating representative democracy.

yes Traditional representative democracy has a tendency towards elitism. Direct democracy has the potential to allow people to participate on a level playing field.

no Representative government allows for ‘joined-up government’ where individual policies are decided not in isolation but with full consideration of potential knock-on effects for other areas of policy. Wider use of referendums would undermine joined-up government.

referendums

Referendum A vote on a single issue put to a public ballot by the government of the day. Referendums offer degree of direct democracy. They are generally framed in form of a simple ‘yes/no’ question.

Do referendums enhance democracy?

yes Referendums offer a more direct form of democracy. They encourage participation by allowing citizens to have a real input into key decisions that matter to them.

no Referendums are inconsistent with representative democracy and undermine the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty.

yes They provide a way of focusing or renewing the mandate on a particular issue or legitimising major constitutional changes.

no They can result in a ‘tyranny of the majority’ or even a tyranny of a very organised minority, when turnout is low.

yes they can prevent dangerous decisions within political parties over controversial issues. This prevents governments from collapsing and thereby provides greater continuity in government. xt

no Excessive use of referendums can result in voter fatigue and declining turnout.

Most issues are too complicated to be considered into simple ‘yes/no’ question.

yes They could be used to provide a clear and final answer where parliament is deadlocked.

no Different levels of funding and media access between ‘yes’ and ‘no’ camps might mean that the referendum is not played out on a level playing field.

yes They can provide a means by which tricky moral questions are resolved.

no Governments can schedule referendums and phrase questions in a way that makes a favourable result more likely.

no Decisions are not always considered final. Governments sometimes go back again and again until they get the result they want.

why are referendums controversial in the uk?

Topic uk government holds referendums only when they are relatively certain of securing the outcome they desire – or where they have direct interest in going to the people.

Wording the questions are often worded in a way as to encourage a positive response. the Electoral Commission was granted the authority to comment on the ineligibility of questions posed in all future referendums under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000).

Timing Even when referendums are offered – and they are offered rarely in the UK – those scheduling them routinely delay them until such time they think they are most likely to secure their desired outcome.

Funding this has been more of an issue in the past. now Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000), referendums in the UK are state funded, with the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns each receiving £600,000 public grant

Turnout turnout at UK referendums is often very low, bringing into question whether they should be held at all.

participation

Political participation range of ways in which citizens can involve themselves in the political process. it can be broadly categorised into its electoral and non-electoral forms.

Franchise the right to vote as established by parliamentary statute. The vast majority of adult UK citizens have the right to vote.

Electoral participation Those who are eligible and registered to vote in a given election are referred to collectively as the electorate.

differential turnout Where the national turnout figure recorded at a given election masks differences in turnout by constituency or region.

What factors might account for variable turnout?

Type of election Voters are more likely to turn out to vote when they value the institutions to which individuals are seeking to be elected. This may account for the relatively low levels of turnout witnessed at local elections.

Political apathy or disengagement Increasing numbers of voters are coming to the conclusion that elections make little difference, particularly where the main UK political parties were seen to be converging ideologically.

‘Hapathy’ A proportion of those who abstain do so because they are happy with the status quo and do not, therefore, feel the need to cast a ballot.

The relative value of a vote those living in safe seats may feel that there is little point in their voting because the result is already a forgone conclusion. Those in marginal seats may be more likely yo turn out and cast a ballot.

The electoral system in operation Some voters may be more inclined to cast a ballot where they think that their vote will be counted. Some argue that turnout would be higher at UK general elections if they were contested under a proportional electoral system as opposed to a ‘winner-takes-all’ system such as first-past-the-post.

The role of the mass media Intense media coverage can have the effect of simulating turnout in a particular election or constituency, particularly where polling published in media appears to suggest that the contest is close and every vote might matter.

Non-electoral participation other forms of political participation than electra turnout.

Canvassing and leafleting Large numbers of volunteers are mobilised at grassroots level in support of the party’s election campaign.

Organising election events and fundraising activities Most election campaigns are funded locally, the major exception being those in marginal constituencies at general elections.

Staffing campaign offices during elections a number of staff are employed in the prospective MPs office and help with the election campaign.

in what other ways can you get involved in politics?

Writing to one’s elected representatives or meeting with them in person Constituents may write to their MP asking for advice or support in relation to a particular problem, or seek to meet the MP in person.

Having an ongoing membership of and/or involvement in a political party While the memberships of the main UK political parties have fallen significantly in recent years, such organisations still provide a significant avenue for political participation.

Engaging in political protest or organised pressure group activity As party membership have fallen, so involvement in pressure group activity of all shades has risen.

is there a participation crisis in the uk?

Participation crisis The view that declining levels of political participation in the UK threaten to undermine its democratic systems.

turnout varies considerably according to variables such as: • age • gender • social class • ethnicity

reasons behind the participation crisis • a move away from traditional forms of participation • Declining party membership • The rise of consumer campaigns

Does political participation matter?

yes On a simple level participation clearly matters because low levels of political participation undermine the legitimacy of political institutions and processes. In the case of low electoral turnout, it brings the governing party’s mandate into question.

Tackling the issue of low turnout government could employ various initiatives to tackle low turnout at elections.

Compulsory voting Many countries require eligible voters not only to register to vote (as in the case in the UK) but also to cast a ballot on election day.

Reducing the voting age it could reduce the voting age from 18 to 16. however, Younger voters are statistically less likely to cast a ballot than those who are older.

Is the UK democratic?

A critique of UK democracy • the use of the first-past-the-post system at general elections • the failure to properly reform parliament • low levels of voter turnout and widespread disillusionment

with other traditional forms of participation, such as membership of political parties and mainstream pressure groups

• the rise of (often extreme) single-issue pressure groups, and groups that seek to destabilise or even overthrow the state

A critique of UK democracy • the absence of a complete separation of powers and the

tendency towards executive dominance • the transfer of government power away from elected

bodies, particularly local government, towards unelected quangos and free-standing agencies

• the absence of a properly drafted bill of rights incorporated within a codified and entrenched constitution