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3 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Define Direct Democracy
(5 marks) 1.1 |
• It is seen a system where the pub lic make decisions themselves, they do not act through others • Decisions are reached on a majoritarian basis • This process of decision making is continuous and perpetual • A historical example is Athenian Democracy • A more contemporary feature of di rect democracy are referendums |
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Criticisms of Reprasentative Democracy
(10 marks) 1.1 |
-Participation levels are often low and this calls into question the legitimacy of the system -Criticism is levied as to the narrow nature of representatives who are seen as not a true reflection of the people in society who they claim to represent. -Problems have emerged with the politica l parties who influence the political process, claiming such things as narrow choice and elite rule -Some minorities may feel excluded and marginalised under a system, of representative democracy |
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Assess the various measures that have been suggested to improve democracy in the uk.
(25 marks) 1.1 |
1.Increased use of referendums On the positive side these will increase levels of education, participation and legitimacy for major and important decisions and connect the public to political life
On the negative side they eradicate the pr ovince of the professional politician and draw out and prolong decision making The introduction of initiatives
2 .On the positive side they will allow the pu blic to draw up the political agenda and address popular issues which pr ofession politicians may avoid. They will also engage and educate the wider public.
On the negative side they may trivialise decision making and could unfavourably slant the political agenda with populist items.
3.The introduction of compulsory voting On the positive side this will increase turnout and improve legitimacy and educate the public.
On the negative side it removes freedom from the public who may wish not to vote
4.The wider use of digital technology has the capacity to revolutionise politics with greater and more frequent political connection for the UK citizen
However digital systems may be subject to hacking and fraud and may appear less open and transparent
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