evaluate the view that the Uk remains a genuine pluralist democracy
PD- a political system and/ or society where there is widespread
acceptance or tolerance of different groups and lifestyles where freedom
of expression and association are respected where many parties and
pressure groups may operate and where there are independent media.
Term also implies that power is dispersed and not concerned.
Elected to represent people Stronger argument is that there
are blemishes on the Uks Pluralism
– powers is instead concentrated
into the hands of a few people and
organizations
Citizen rights are protected – Rights culture in Uk democracy is
widespread acceptance and constantly been put into question
tolerance” by the Uk government
Formal equality in the Uk political HRA under attack as its not
system- entrenched – British bill of rights
Freedom of information act 2000
Equality act 2010
Pressure groups represent interests Some groups are elitists and tend
to concentrate powers in the hands
of a few people
Revolving door
Pressure groups don’t enhance
pluralism but rather they obscure it
due to many of the influential ones
being internally undemocratic
Evaluate the view that there is a democratic deficit in the UK
Introduction
Democratic deficit- state where democratic processes and systems
are not functioning effectively
Strong democracy should have high levels of participation, effective
social and political representation, gov having legitimacy, clear
mandate and held accountable , rights should be protected and
upheld
FPTP It improves democracy as it is a
Undermines democracy as it under simple system which is fair to give
represents minorities ( despite each vote one vote which
having widespread support) encourages people to vote in
Brings legitimacy of MPs and gov comparison to a more complex
into question as they can receive system.
fewer votes but more eats. Democracy more stable as it
Millions of votes wasted and doesn’t allow minority parties to
caused voters to become have significant representation
disillusioned wit the process Accountability improved since
, Deficit as many recall of MPS act
underrepresented and lack of But these are weak arguments,
legitimacy people voices and votes should be
fairly heard
Undemocratic to deny parties
representation if they are being
voted
Participation crisis But people still participate in
pressure groups- also referendum
turnout higher
Also high participation in e-petition
They aren’t representative of the But it has improved
wider population
Rights HOL PROTECTS RIGHTS
Rights are threatened Pressure groups pressure
Supreme court often ignored Also – gov passes legislation
Evaluate the view that direct democracy should be used more widely in
the UK
Purest and most genuine form of Lead to the tyranny of the majority
democracy
Ensures people obey laws that they
make themselves
Equal weight is given to all votes
Promote greater education and Lead to people being fed
debates misinformation or making key
issues they aren’t aware of
Reduces or removes the public Experienced MPS time and
dependence on self serving and expertise
incompetent politicians
The public have lost trust in
representatives who bolster the
case for doing away with this
“political elite” who seem
increasingly distant from the public
in whose name they are
supposedly acting
Elected mps do not always
represent the view of the people in
any event
Evaluate the view that the franchise in the Uk should be extended further
P- would improve representation P- potential for manipulation
E- complains of Westminster E- with a larger and more diverse
bubble- average age in electorate there could be increased
government – ethnicity to makeup opportunities for political
E- would lead to better manipulation
representation of the future of the This includes attempts to exploit
PD- a political system and/ or society where there is widespread
acceptance or tolerance of different groups and lifestyles where freedom
of expression and association are respected where many parties and
pressure groups may operate and where there are independent media.
Term also implies that power is dispersed and not concerned.
Elected to represent people Stronger argument is that there
are blemishes on the Uks Pluralism
– powers is instead concentrated
into the hands of a few people and
organizations
Citizen rights are protected – Rights culture in Uk democracy is
widespread acceptance and constantly been put into question
tolerance” by the Uk government
Formal equality in the Uk political HRA under attack as its not
system- entrenched – British bill of rights
Freedom of information act 2000
Equality act 2010
Pressure groups represent interests Some groups are elitists and tend
to concentrate powers in the hands
of a few people
Revolving door
Pressure groups don’t enhance
pluralism but rather they obscure it
due to many of the influential ones
being internally undemocratic
Evaluate the view that there is a democratic deficit in the UK
Introduction
Democratic deficit- state where democratic processes and systems
are not functioning effectively
Strong democracy should have high levels of participation, effective
social and political representation, gov having legitimacy, clear
mandate and held accountable , rights should be protected and
upheld
FPTP It improves democracy as it is a
Undermines democracy as it under simple system which is fair to give
represents minorities ( despite each vote one vote which
having widespread support) encourages people to vote in
Brings legitimacy of MPs and gov comparison to a more complex
into question as they can receive system.
fewer votes but more eats. Democracy more stable as it
Millions of votes wasted and doesn’t allow minority parties to
caused voters to become have significant representation
disillusioned wit the process Accountability improved since
, Deficit as many recall of MPS act
underrepresented and lack of But these are weak arguments,
legitimacy people voices and votes should be
fairly heard
Undemocratic to deny parties
representation if they are being
voted
Participation crisis But people still participate in
pressure groups- also referendum
turnout higher
Also high participation in e-petition
They aren’t representative of the But it has improved
wider population
Rights HOL PROTECTS RIGHTS
Rights are threatened Pressure groups pressure
Supreme court often ignored Also – gov passes legislation
Evaluate the view that direct democracy should be used more widely in
the UK
Purest and most genuine form of Lead to the tyranny of the majority
democracy
Ensures people obey laws that they
make themselves
Equal weight is given to all votes
Promote greater education and Lead to people being fed
debates misinformation or making key
issues they aren’t aware of
Reduces or removes the public Experienced MPS time and
dependence on self serving and expertise
incompetent politicians
The public have lost trust in
representatives who bolster the
case for doing away with this
“political elite” who seem
increasingly distant from the public
in whose name they are
supposedly acting
Elected mps do not always
represent the view of the people in
any event
Evaluate the view that the franchise in the Uk should be extended further
P- would improve representation P- potential for manipulation
E- complains of Westminster E- with a larger and more diverse
bubble- average age in electorate there could be increased
government – ethnicity to makeup opportunities for political
E- would lead to better manipulation
representation of the future of the This includes attempts to exploit
