Dem ocr acy
Types of Dem ocr acy
Dir ect dem ocr acy is a political system where citizens directly participate in decision-
making without intermediaries or representatives. In this system, individuals vote on
laws, policies, and other issues through referendums, initiatives, and assemblies.
Elitist dem ocr acy is a form of governance where political power is concentrated in the
hands of a select, privileged group of elites rather than being widely distributed among
the populace. These elite groups are often composed of individuals with significant
economic, social, or educational advantages
Plur al dem ocr acy, also known as pluralist democracy, is a political system where
multiple groups, interests, and organizations coexist and compete for power and
influence.
Liber al dem ocr acy is a political system combining individual freedoms with
democratic governance. It features free and fair elections, the rule of law, and separation
of powers among branches of government.
Repr esentative dem ocr acy is where voters elect representatives to make political
decisions on their behalf. These representatives are then held accountable to the public
in regular elections
The UK has a r epr esentative dem ocr acy.
Advan tages:
The government is carried out by professional politicians who are required to be well informed
about political issues, therefore more likely to make politically educated decisions better than
the public, who would be more swayed by emotion and may not fully understand the
complexities of the issue.
It also means that politicians balance conflicting issues when reaching a decision which is good
for minorities and other underrepresented groups as all the implications of a decision have been
examined.
It also allows for great accountability, due to regular elections. This means that if the public do
not approve of the policies or performance of a government, they can elect a new one. This
means that a government will listen to the public, as it is down to them if they are to be re-
elected.
Disadvan tages:
Critics argue that the elected members do not often represent the more traditional values of the
population, meaning that the MPs are disengaged from the public. During Rishi Sunak’s term,
, the Sutton Trust found 63% of the Prime Minister's cabinet attended fee-paying schools which
now charge tens of thousands per year. The figures compare to just 7% of the general
population. On top of this, in the 2016 EU referendum, 52% voted to leave however 74% of the
MPs were in favor of remaining
MPs can have outside interests including 2nd jobs which can conflict their interests. For example,
in 2021 Owen Paterson was criticized by the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards and
resigned as he was assumed to be lobbying on behalf of companies that employed him.
UK par ticipation cr isis?
Over the years, there have been numerous instances that might have decreased the public trust
of MPs, hence the decrease in participation in elections etc. A dem ocr atic defi cit occurs when
government or government institutions fall short of fulfilling the principles of democracy in
their practices or operation or where political representatives and institutions are discredited in
the eyes of the public. Is there a democratic deficit in the UK?
Incidents such as the Owen Paterson malarky in 2021, as well as in 2010 when Stephen Bryers, a
now former Labour MP was secretly filmed telling a consultancy firm he was like a ‘cab for hire’.
These instances can be seen as corruption within parliament, which is the feeling of many UK
citizens. YouGov did a poll in 2021, in which 80% said they believe there is a fair or significant
amount of corruption in UK politics, with just 1% saying there is not.
Stats show that the average turnout between 2005 and 2019 is 65.7%, which was brought up by
the 2017 and 2019 elections where turnout was high due to lots at stake. This statistic is 8.8%
lower than the average turnout between 1964 and 1997, showing a large decrease over the years.
Stats also show a decrease in D/E voters, with only 53% of D/E voters voting in 2019, compared
to that of A/B voters where 68% voted in 2019. 3 of 5 constituencies with the lowest turnout in
2019 was in Kingston upon Hull, where 45% of the neighborhoods are amongst the most
deprived 10% in England
Devolved governments and elected mayors allow greater opportunities for the public to engage
in UK politics, but turnout is also low. The turnout for Welsh parliamentary elections is around
46%, seeing no shift in the 1999 and the 2021 elections. The Scottish parliament has however
seen an increase in turnout, with it being only 59.1% in 1999 but then 63.5% in 2021. This could
be down to an increase in devolved powers, and therefore Scottish people feel like their vote
matters.
Pr essur e gr oups
Factor s that in fl u en ce PGs su ccess:
Types of Dem ocr acy
Dir ect dem ocr acy is a political system where citizens directly participate in decision-
making without intermediaries or representatives. In this system, individuals vote on
laws, policies, and other issues through referendums, initiatives, and assemblies.
Elitist dem ocr acy is a form of governance where political power is concentrated in the
hands of a select, privileged group of elites rather than being widely distributed among
the populace. These elite groups are often composed of individuals with significant
economic, social, or educational advantages
Plur al dem ocr acy, also known as pluralist democracy, is a political system where
multiple groups, interests, and organizations coexist and compete for power and
influence.
Liber al dem ocr acy is a political system combining individual freedoms with
democratic governance. It features free and fair elections, the rule of law, and separation
of powers among branches of government.
Repr esentative dem ocr acy is where voters elect representatives to make political
decisions on their behalf. These representatives are then held accountable to the public
in regular elections
The UK has a r epr esentative dem ocr acy.
Advan tages:
The government is carried out by professional politicians who are required to be well informed
about political issues, therefore more likely to make politically educated decisions better than
the public, who would be more swayed by emotion and may not fully understand the
complexities of the issue.
It also means that politicians balance conflicting issues when reaching a decision which is good
for minorities and other underrepresented groups as all the implications of a decision have been
examined.
It also allows for great accountability, due to regular elections. This means that if the public do
not approve of the policies or performance of a government, they can elect a new one. This
means that a government will listen to the public, as it is down to them if they are to be re-
elected.
Disadvan tages:
Critics argue that the elected members do not often represent the more traditional values of the
population, meaning that the MPs are disengaged from the public. During Rishi Sunak’s term,
, the Sutton Trust found 63% of the Prime Minister's cabinet attended fee-paying schools which
now charge tens of thousands per year. The figures compare to just 7% of the general
population. On top of this, in the 2016 EU referendum, 52% voted to leave however 74% of the
MPs were in favor of remaining
MPs can have outside interests including 2nd jobs which can conflict their interests. For example,
in 2021 Owen Paterson was criticized by the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards and
resigned as he was assumed to be lobbying on behalf of companies that employed him.
UK par ticipation cr isis?
Over the years, there have been numerous instances that might have decreased the public trust
of MPs, hence the decrease in participation in elections etc. A dem ocr atic defi cit occurs when
government or government institutions fall short of fulfilling the principles of democracy in
their practices or operation or where political representatives and institutions are discredited in
the eyes of the public. Is there a democratic deficit in the UK?
Incidents such as the Owen Paterson malarky in 2021, as well as in 2010 when Stephen Bryers, a
now former Labour MP was secretly filmed telling a consultancy firm he was like a ‘cab for hire’.
These instances can be seen as corruption within parliament, which is the feeling of many UK
citizens. YouGov did a poll in 2021, in which 80% said they believe there is a fair or significant
amount of corruption in UK politics, with just 1% saying there is not.
Stats show that the average turnout between 2005 and 2019 is 65.7%, which was brought up by
the 2017 and 2019 elections where turnout was high due to lots at stake. This statistic is 8.8%
lower than the average turnout between 1964 and 1997, showing a large decrease over the years.
Stats also show a decrease in D/E voters, with only 53% of D/E voters voting in 2019, compared
to that of A/B voters where 68% voted in 2019. 3 of 5 constituencies with the lowest turnout in
2019 was in Kingston upon Hull, where 45% of the neighborhoods are amongst the most
deprived 10% in England
Devolved governments and elected mayors allow greater opportunities for the public to engage
in UK politics, but turnout is also low. The turnout for Welsh parliamentary elections is around
46%, seeing no shift in the 1999 and the 2021 elections. The Scottish parliament has however
seen an increase in turnout, with it being only 59.1% in 1999 but then 63.5% in 2021. This could
be down to an increase in devolved powers, and therefore Scottish people feel like their vote
matters.
Pr essur e gr oups
Factor s that in fl u en ce PGs su ccess:
