Direct vs. Representative Democracy

Direct vs. Representative Democracy

• Direct democracy involves citizens having a direct say in decision-making, enhancing civic participation.
• Direct democracy creates transparency and reduces corruption but can be logistically challenging in populous nations.
• Direct democracy laws and policies are directly shaped by the preferences of the majority, potentially leading to greater satisfaction with outcomes
• Representative democracy involves elected officials making decisions quickly and managing complex issues, creating efficiency.
• Representative democracy maintains political stability, reducing the potential for frequent changes in policy.
• Representative democracy protects minority rights, acting as a buffer against majority tyranny by advocating for diverse interests.
• Representatives may become disconnected from constituents, leading to apathy or dissatisfaction.
• Representative systems are susceptible to lobbying and special interests, potentially not aligning with the public good.
• Citizens may feel that their votes do not matter as much in representative democracies, leading to reduced voter turnout.

Chronology of the Franchise in the UK

• 1832: The First Reform Act expanded the franchise to include more middle-class men by lowering property requirements, enfranchising about 650,000 men.
• 1867: The Second Reform Act extended voting rights to urban working-class men, increasing the electorate to about 1.5 million people.
• 1884: The Third Reform Act extended voting rights to rural working-class men, bringing the total electorate to about 2.5 million.
• 1918: The Representation of the People Act granted suffrage to all men over 21 and women over 30 meeting minimum property requirements, increasing the electorate to around 21 million.
• 1928: The Equal Franchise Act equalized the voting age for women and men, enfranchising women over 21 to vote.
• 1969: The Representation of the People Act lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, further expanding the electorate.
• 1985: The Representation of the People Act allowed 18-year-old women to stand for election, promoting gender equality.
• 2000: The Representation of the People Act introduced postal and proxy voting for increased access.
• 2014: The voting age lowered to 16 for local and devolved elections in Scotland.

Pressure Groups: Strengths

• Pressure groups voice interests of various societal segments, including minorities and environmentalists.
• Expertise within pressure groups offers policymakers valuable data and insights, aiding informed decision-making.
• Pressure groups mobilize public opinion and grassroots support, increasing awareness and prompting legislative action.
• Pressure groups hold the government accountable, ensuring public interests are not overlooked or harmed.

Pressure Groups: Weaknesses

• Pressure groups with significant financial backing can exert disproportionate influence compared to grassroots organizations.
• Some pressure groups may pursue narrow interests or extreme positions, leading to political polarization
• Pressure groups' lack of accountability raises legitimacy concerns.
• Pressure groups often focus on specific issues, neglecting long-term solutions or broader policy contexts.

Chronology of Rights in UK Politics

• 1215: The Magna Carta established the principle that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the law and guaranteed legal rights.
• 1689: The Bill of Rights limited the monarchy's power and outlined civil rights like free elections and petition rights.
• 1832: The First Reform Act expanded voting rights to more middle-class men.
• 1867: The Second Reform Act extended the franchise to urban working-class men, and significantly increased the electorate.
• 1884: The Third Reform Act expanded the vote to rural working-class men.
• 1918: The Representation of the People Act granted voting rights to all men over 21 and women over 30 meeting minimum property requirements.
• 1928: The Representation of the People Act equalized the voting age for women and men.
• 1965: The Race Relations Act made racial discrimination illegal in public places.
• 1970: The Equal Pay Act aimed to eliminate gender pay disparity in the workplace.
• 1998: The Human Rights Act incorporated the European Convention into UK law.
• 2005: Equality Act consolidated anti-discrimination laws with a comprehensive framework.
• 2010: Equality Act further strengthened rights related to discrimination and promoted equality in various sectors.

Key Terms in Democracy

• Legitimacy is the governed's acceptance and recognition of authority or governance as valid.
• Direct democracy involves citizen participation directly in decision-making, enabling voting on specific policies.
• Representative democracy involves citizens electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf and pass the laws.
• Pluralist Democracy recognizes and accommodates diverse groups and interests within society, distributing power among them.
• Democratic Deficit is when institutions do not meet democratic principles through lack of accountability, for example
• Participation Crisis occurs with a decline in public engagement and involvement in political and civic activities
• Franchise or Suffrage is the right to vote in political Elections
• Think tanks are research organizations that analyze and help develop polices
• Lobbyists influence government officials and legislators on specific issues or polices.

UK Political Parties: Strengths

• The UK's major parties ensure governance stability and limit policy shifts.
• Clear voter choices arise through distinct platforms and ideologies.
• Diverse interests aggregate via parties, enabling political process representation.
• Parties need to be accountable to constituents
• A clear party system leads to better governance in Parliament

UK Political Parties: Weaknesses

• Major parties' dominance limits alternative viewpoints and discourages voter engagement.
• Strong party identities contribute to political polarization and divisions in society.
• The first past the post distorts representation with few seats won by parties with significant votes, leading to voter disconnect
• Party discipline limits MPs' ability to act according to constituents' wishes.
• Political parties prioritize reactive Governance for election wins, missing proactive leadership

Labour Party UK: Chronology

• 1900: The Labour Representation Committee forms, uniting unions and socialist groups to promote workers' interests.
• 1906: The Labour Party is established, winning 29 seats.
• 1918: The Labour Party adopts constitution and changes its name, with franchise extension benefiting the electoral prospects.
• 1924: The Labour Party forms first government led by Ramsay MacDonald, lasting only months due to lack of majority.
• 1929: Labour wins majority in election, but faces onset of Great Depression
• 1931: Labour government collapses, with National Government taking over.
• 1945: Labour wins landslide victory under Clement Attlee, implementing NHS and welfare state.
• 1979: Labour loses power to Conservatives after economic turmoil.
• 1997: Labour wins landslide victory under Tony Blair, modernizing party.
• 2008: The global financial crisis significantly challenges the Labour government.
• 2010: Labour loses election with Ed Miliband becoming leader, attempting return to traditional roots
• 2015: Labour has another defeat, and Jeremy Corbyn is elected
• 2019: Corbyn resigns as leader post Conservative victory of Boris Johnson

Conservative Party UK: Chronology

• 1834: The Conservative Party is founded, evolving from the Tory Party.
• 1846: The party split over repeal of Corn Laws, temporarily declining in influence.
• 1867: The party modernizes and broadens appeal, adapting to changes in electorate and society.
• 1924: The Baldwin Government forms a coalition
• 1940: Churchill becomes wartime Prime Minister.
• 1951: The Conservatives return to power emphasizing economic growth and stability.
• 1970: Heath focuses on modernizing economy, then joining the EEC.
• 1975: Thatcher is elected leader in 1975
• 1979: Thatcher leads the Conservatives to victory, becoming first female Prime Minister, implementing reforms.
• 1990: Thatcher resigns and succeded by Major
• 1997: The Conservatives suffered a defeat in 1997.
• 2005: Cameron becomes leader promoting a modernized approach.
• 2010: The Conservatives win the most seats in a hung Parliament and form a coalition with Cameron as Minister.
• 2015: The Conservatives win the majority
• 2016: the party faces brexit
• 2019: Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, delivering victory
• 2022: Truss becomes prime minister with economic issues, followed by Sunak

Minor Political Parties in the UK

• The Green Party focuses on environmental issues, social justice, and sustainability and had increased representation in local councils.
• Plaid Cymru focuses on Welsh nationalism and devolution and strong presence in the Welsh Parliament, seeking independence.
• The SNP dominates Scottish polices pushing for independence
• Liberal democrats focus on civil liberties, social Liberalism has and decreased prominence.
• UKIP focuses on euroscepticism, they have played a key role in the EU membership discourse.
• Reform UK focuses on political reform accountability
• Alliance cross-community politics and liberal values in the Northern Ireland.
• Socialist parties focus on workers rights and anti-austerity
• The Monster Raving Loony Party uses satire and comedy to encourage voter engagement.

1979 Conservative Victory Themes

• Election was due to the economic turmoil, which erodes Labour government
• "Winter of Discontent" also lost labour support
• Thatcher was strong image as strong leader
• Conservatives focused on econoimc form reform

1997 Labour Victory Themes

• Victory due to Conservative Party falling
• Blair wanted to modernize image through "Third Way" approach
• He also promises to help NHS

Definitions

• "Old Labour" refers to traditional Labour views
• "New Labour" refers to a Centrist approach
• "One Nation" refers to the conservative side, more cohesian"
• "New Right" refers to a blend of liberalism and social concervatism
• Clasical liberals advocate for freedom
• Modern Liberals Advocate for social justice in society
• Party systems refer to how parties interact
• Left view refers to social justice in society
• Right wing focuses on more individualism
• Gaskillism is pragmatically
• Bennites for radical
• Butskellism refers to collaboration