1`Democracy and Participation
Representative Democracy
RD positives + Evidence that the UK system is representative:
Representatives provide more efficient / enhanced decision making
University Educated MPs
- 86% of MP's have gone to university, a study done on 13th december, 2019.
- Equips them with a deeper understanding of political, economic and social issues.
- More informed decisions made?
Coronavirus Act 2020
- Introduced and passed with extraordinary speed in March 2020.
- Received royal assent just 2 days after it was introduced.
- granted extensive powers to the govt, including authority to shut down events and venues, impose restrictions on public gatherings
and detain individuals suspected of infection.
- rapid enactment underscores the capability of RD to respond quickly in a crisis, crucial for effective management of public health and
safety in emergencies.
- Elected official equipped to handle complex issues
Expert Governance - Access to expert advice,
The UK's response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Heavily relied on advice from SAGE, which included leading experts from various fields.
- These experts provided real-time data and modelling that informed critical decisions, such as the timing of lockdowns and social
distancing measures.
- This reliance on expert advice demonstrates how representative democracies can harness specialised knowledge for public policy
decision-making, which might be unfeasible in direct democracy settings where such nuanced understanding would be difficult to
achieve at scale.
Recall elections shows that representatives are held to account
Fiona Onasanya
- 1 May 2019 after lying to the police in order to avoid being prosecuted for speeding.
- demonstrates holding MPs to account in between GE
- Fiona Onasanya who lied about getting speeding in order to get out of a speeding ticket on 24th of July, 2017, this triggered a recall
election and eventually she was found guilty and had to step down from being an MP of peterborough.
- ensures lack of corruption in RD
There are initiatives aimed at improving transparency and accountability within the UK government
Open Government Partnership (OGP) since 2011
- Led to several initiatives aimed at enhancing govt transparency
- Steps towards more open data practices where govt has committed to publishing key datasets on public spending and govt operations
makes it easier for public to access and scrutinise got actions
Increase in the number of political parties to support variety of views
Also supports a wide range of ideologies.
No. parties now vs 2010
- In 2010 there were only three main political parties however over the years this has extended to more.
Wide range of ideologies - represents diverse interests
Scottish MPs
- have been instrumental in voicing regional concerns nad needs such as debated over Scottish independence and regional funding.
- RD accommodates regional diversity within a unified legislative body
RD is good to use when needing to respond to a crisis rapidly
Practical in a large political system -> efficiency in decisions making -> Cabinet Office
Iraq
- Deployment of troops
COVID
- lockdowns and vaccination programs introduced rapidly
- emergency legislation - lockdown / economic support packages / vaccinations,
,Brexit ref 2016
- complex pieces of legislation managed
Good for large society -> prevents coalitions and produces strong and stable govt
FPTP electoral system works well in RD
2019 GE
- Significant majority enabled Cons to proceed with Brexit without deadlock
- -> clear majority -> clearer decisions.
- More effective = no need for negotiations like under coalition
- Clear election results + Strong and stable govt + free and fair voting + majority govt
Prevents coalitions
Guardian 2010
- Poll said that 80% people believe the Coalition govt in 2010 is ‘more confused’
Recent GEs
- 8/10 of last government since 1979 were all formation of majority governments
- Clearer decisions / more efficient -> better for large society
Prevents ‘tyranny of the majority’
Minor Party representation -> SNP and Green
- The representation of smaller parties like the SNP and the Green Party in Parliament ensures that regional and specific interest groups
have a voice in the legislative process.
- For instance, the SNP has been instrumental in pushing for policies that address Scotland-specific issues, such as advocating for
Scottish interests in Brexit negotiations and promoting legislation on climate change tailored to Scotland's unique environmental
landscape.
Representatives have to be re-elected
Stability and predictability
FTPA 2011
Initially aimed to provide more predictability in UK political landscape by setting fixed parliamentary terms -> this stability is crucial
RD gives minorities a voice in parliament and helps to protect minority rights through legislation
Equal Marriage Act 2013
- legalised SSM
- passed through representative democratic processes
- reflected how the needs and rights of LGBTQ+ minority is represented
- demonstrates how RD protects minority rights
RD
Snoopers Charter
Positive evidence of snoopers charter:
- increased power of intelligence agencies could increase security of people in the uk- protect them -> these policies have more
legitimacy in the wider scheme of the constitution direct democracy would not allow the necessary unpopular policies to pass
Voter apathy in DD makes RD superior
2011 AV ref
- Turnout = 42%
Whereas RD ->
2019 GE
- Turnout = above 67%
RD allows for accountability & MPs represent constituencies by going against govt policies
MPs rebelled against Liz Truss’ government and abstained in vote on banning fracking
- In October 2022, 33 Conservative MPs rebelled against Liz Truss' government and abstained in a vote on banning fracking,
- Despite the government ordering them to oppose it,
- This included many MP Mark Fletcher of Bolsover which had a strong local movement against fracking in the area.
,Free and fair elections
Effective for large societies
Representative democracy is the most effective system for efficient democratic functioning of a large society - almost essential for effect
legislative and executive decision making.
Direct democracy would decrease the productivity of a country - people become consumed in political matters .
Constituency clinics allows as a form of direct democracy.
Supported by the public
Av referendum
● Saw an overwhelming defeat for a proportion representative system illustrating that the general electorate don't want a proportional
system.
● 68% no 32% yes
Experts
It is argued the representative democracy is the most effective legislative system within the UK and the expert opinions of MPs who have been
democratically elected to parliament should be trusted.
Theorist Edmund Burke wrote "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement and he betrays, instead of serving you, if
he sacrifices it to your opinion".
Emergence of digital platforms has empowered citizens to engage in politics - gives them power in RD
BLM & MeToo movements
- Movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo demonstrates the potential for grassroots mobilisation and advocacy.
- Activism places issues of social justice, which may be overlooked, at the forefront of national political debates.
- RD may be adapting to incorporate new forms of civic engagement , this extending power dynamics to the people.
Safeguards in place to protect from elite capture
Advocates of the current system argue that the existence of regulatory frameworks and transparency measures prevents undue influence by
elites. Additionally, they contend that political donations are essential for funding parties and maintaining democratic competition.
However, evidence suggests that loopholes and lax enforcement undermine the effectiveness of these safeguards, allowing elite interests to
wield disproportionate influence.
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 200
● Advocates of the current system often point to the regulatory framework governing political donations, such as the Political Parties,
Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as evidence of safeguards against elite capture.
PPERA - sets out how they are regulated in the UK
● By setting limits and transparency require net on donations, they prevent a small elite from dominating the political discourse -
preserving influence of the general electorate.
● Ensures that in Red power isn’t concentrated amongst a few - distributed.
Supporters of the first-past-the-post system argue that it provides clarity and decisiveness in election outcomes.
2019 general election
- The Conservative Party's clear majority allowed for the swift formation of a government and facilitated the implementation of
Brexit-related policies without the need for protracted coalition negotiations.
- Brexit was voted for by the people in a referendum.
Free and Fair elections
Devolution
Scotland Act 1998
● Saw the creation of the Scottish Parliament -> have many powers.
● Representation for Scottish people has increased.
● Scottish people have their own democratic parliament who have many law-making powers.
BUT:
Fragmented distribution of power between other states. No English parliament?
Pressure groups
● Involvement in pressure groups has increased across younger populations.
, RD negatives + Evidence that the UK system is not representative:
UK system not representative:
2015
- UKIP won 13% of the national vote but only got 1 seat.
- The SNP won 2% of the national vote but won 56 seats.
Devolution
WLQ
- -> Increase in tuition in England and Wales only based on Scottish votes.
- But Scot MPs can vote on English or Welsh issues: undermines representation of people.
Turnout issues:
1997 -> 71%
2001 -> 59%
Uneducated citizens = apathy
Most general election turnouts are around 60-68% for example in the 2019 general election.
Only vote every 5 years -> avoids accountability
Claudia Webbe
- Threatened to send naked pictures of a woman to her family out of jealousy of a friendship she had with her partner as well as being
threatening to use acid against Michelle Merritt
Bad social representation
Social representation of MPs
● 29% of MPs are women and only 6% of MPs make up ethnic minorities.
● Ukip secured 4 millions votes but only secured 1 seat unlike the Scottish national party that got 1.5 million votes and got 56 seats.
Turnout
May 2016 local elections
● Average turnout in May 2016 local elections was 33.8%
Lack of participation
Political party membership
● Only 1.6% of electorate belong to one of three main parties, so don't use this ability
Political Parties are run by elites
Wealthy run media so raise business interests but not held accountable
Rupert Murdoch
● Murdoch group has owned The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
● Representatives may distort people's minds to suit own political agenda, undermining democracy
Minorities under-represented
HOC elected with FPTP -> produces mismatch vote and seat share
2 party system -> not representing minor parties
Representatives more interest in party politics, not national interest -> control over members
2009 parliamentary expenses scandal
● -> MPs made false claims for mortgage payments, home insurance, and a duck house!
● Lead to negative public perception of politicians as corrupt, incompetent, betray promises and put party before electorate
Politicians may put their interests and their party's interests before those of the people and betray election promises.
2010 LibDems
For example in 2010 when the Liberal Democrats didn’t follow manifesto promises to scrap tuition fees for students when in coalition government
with the Conservatives.
Quick decision making can lead to oversight and inadequate consultation
Coronavirus Act 2020
● The same Coronavirus Act 2020 drew significant criticism for the way it was expedited through Parliament without the usual levels of
scrutiny or debate.
Representative Democracy
RD positives + Evidence that the UK system is representative:
Representatives provide more efficient / enhanced decision making
University Educated MPs
- 86% of MP's have gone to university, a study done on 13th december, 2019.
- Equips them with a deeper understanding of political, economic and social issues.
- More informed decisions made?
Coronavirus Act 2020
- Introduced and passed with extraordinary speed in March 2020.
- Received royal assent just 2 days after it was introduced.
- granted extensive powers to the govt, including authority to shut down events and venues, impose restrictions on public gatherings
and detain individuals suspected of infection.
- rapid enactment underscores the capability of RD to respond quickly in a crisis, crucial for effective management of public health and
safety in emergencies.
- Elected official equipped to handle complex issues
Expert Governance - Access to expert advice,
The UK's response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Heavily relied on advice from SAGE, which included leading experts from various fields.
- These experts provided real-time data and modelling that informed critical decisions, such as the timing of lockdowns and social
distancing measures.
- This reliance on expert advice demonstrates how representative democracies can harness specialised knowledge for public policy
decision-making, which might be unfeasible in direct democracy settings where such nuanced understanding would be difficult to
achieve at scale.
Recall elections shows that representatives are held to account
Fiona Onasanya
- 1 May 2019 after lying to the police in order to avoid being prosecuted for speeding.
- demonstrates holding MPs to account in between GE
- Fiona Onasanya who lied about getting speeding in order to get out of a speeding ticket on 24th of July, 2017, this triggered a recall
election and eventually she was found guilty and had to step down from being an MP of peterborough.
- ensures lack of corruption in RD
There are initiatives aimed at improving transparency and accountability within the UK government
Open Government Partnership (OGP) since 2011
- Led to several initiatives aimed at enhancing govt transparency
- Steps towards more open data practices where govt has committed to publishing key datasets on public spending and govt operations
makes it easier for public to access and scrutinise got actions
Increase in the number of political parties to support variety of views
Also supports a wide range of ideologies.
No. parties now vs 2010
- In 2010 there were only three main political parties however over the years this has extended to more.
Wide range of ideologies - represents diverse interests
Scottish MPs
- have been instrumental in voicing regional concerns nad needs such as debated over Scottish independence and regional funding.
- RD accommodates regional diversity within a unified legislative body
RD is good to use when needing to respond to a crisis rapidly
Practical in a large political system -> efficiency in decisions making -> Cabinet Office
Iraq
- Deployment of troops
COVID
- lockdowns and vaccination programs introduced rapidly
- emergency legislation - lockdown / economic support packages / vaccinations,
,Brexit ref 2016
- complex pieces of legislation managed
Good for large society -> prevents coalitions and produces strong and stable govt
FPTP electoral system works well in RD
2019 GE
- Significant majority enabled Cons to proceed with Brexit without deadlock
- -> clear majority -> clearer decisions.
- More effective = no need for negotiations like under coalition
- Clear election results + Strong and stable govt + free and fair voting + majority govt
Prevents coalitions
Guardian 2010
- Poll said that 80% people believe the Coalition govt in 2010 is ‘more confused’
Recent GEs
- 8/10 of last government since 1979 were all formation of majority governments
- Clearer decisions / more efficient -> better for large society
Prevents ‘tyranny of the majority’
Minor Party representation -> SNP and Green
- The representation of smaller parties like the SNP and the Green Party in Parliament ensures that regional and specific interest groups
have a voice in the legislative process.
- For instance, the SNP has been instrumental in pushing for policies that address Scotland-specific issues, such as advocating for
Scottish interests in Brexit negotiations and promoting legislation on climate change tailored to Scotland's unique environmental
landscape.
Representatives have to be re-elected
Stability and predictability
FTPA 2011
Initially aimed to provide more predictability in UK political landscape by setting fixed parliamentary terms -> this stability is crucial
RD gives minorities a voice in parliament and helps to protect minority rights through legislation
Equal Marriage Act 2013
- legalised SSM
- passed through representative democratic processes
- reflected how the needs and rights of LGBTQ+ minority is represented
- demonstrates how RD protects minority rights
RD
Snoopers Charter
Positive evidence of snoopers charter:
- increased power of intelligence agencies could increase security of people in the uk- protect them -> these policies have more
legitimacy in the wider scheme of the constitution direct democracy would not allow the necessary unpopular policies to pass
Voter apathy in DD makes RD superior
2011 AV ref
- Turnout = 42%
Whereas RD ->
2019 GE
- Turnout = above 67%
RD allows for accountability & MPs represent constituencies by going against govt policies
MPs rebelled against Liz Truss’ government and abstained in vote on banning fracking
- In October 2022, 33 Conservative MPs rebelled against Liz Truss' government and abstained in a vote on banning fracking,
- Despite the government ordering them to oppose it,
- This included many MP Mark Fletcher of Bolsover which had a strong local movement against fracking in the area.
,Free and fair elections
Effective for large societies
Representative democracy is the most effective system for efficient democratic functioning of a large society - almost essential for effect
legislative and executive decision making.
Direct democracy would decrease the productivity of a country - people become consumed in political matters .
Constituency clinics allows as a form of direct democracy.
Supported by the public
Av referendum
● Saw an overwhelming defeat for a proportion representative system illustrating that the general electorate don't want a proportional
system.
● 68% no 32% yes
Experts
It is argued the representative democracy is the most effective legislative system within the UK and the expert opinions of MPs who have been
democratically elected to parliament should be trusted.
Theorist Edmund Burke wrote "Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement and he betrays, instead of serving you, if
he sacrifices it to your opinion".
Emergence of digital platforms has empowered citizens to engage in politics - gives them power in RD
BLM & MeToo movements
- Movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo demonstrates the potential for grassroots mobilisation and advocacy.
- Activism places issues of social justice, which may be overlooked, at the forefront of national political debates.
- RD may be adapting to incorporate new forms of civic engagement , this extending power dynamics to the people.
Safeguards in place to protect from elite capture
Advocates of the current system argue that the existence of regulatory frameworks and transparency measures prevents undue influence by
elites. Additionally, they contend that political donations are essential for funding parties and maintaining democratic competition.
However, evidence suggests that loopholes and lax enforcement undermine the effectiveness of these safeguards, allowing elite interests to
wield disproportionate influence.
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 200
● Advocates of the current system often point to the regulatory framework governing political donations, such as the Political Parties,
Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as evidence of safeguards against elite capture.
PPERA - sets out how they are regulated in the UK
● By setting limits and transparency require net on donations, they prevent a small elite from dominating the political discourse -
preserving influence of the general electorate.
● Ensures that in Red power isn’t concentrated amongst a few - distributed.
Supporters of the first-past-the-post system argue that it provides clarity and decisiveness in election outcomes.
2019 general election
- The Conservative Party's clear majority allowed for the swift formation of a government and facilitated the implementation of
Brexit-related policies without the need for protracted coalition negotiations.
- Brexit was voted for by the people in a referendum.
Free and Fair elections
Devolution
Scotland Act 1998
● Saw the creation of the Scottish Parliament -> have many powers.
● Representation for Scottish people has increased.
● Scottish people have their own democratic parliament who have many law-making powers.
BUT:
Fragmented distribution of power between other states. No English parliament?
Pressure groups
● Involvement in pressure groups has increased across younger populations.
, RD negatives + Evidence that the UK system is not representative:
UK system not representative:
2015
- UKIP won 13% of the national vote but only got 1 seat.
- The SNP won 2% of the national vote but won 56 seats.
Devolution
WLQ
- -> Increase in tuition in England and Wales only based on Scottish votes.
- But Scot MPs can vote on English or Welsh issues: undermines representation of people.
Turnout issues:
1997 -> 71%
2001 -> 59%
Uneducated citizens = apathy
Most general election turnouts are around 60-68% for example in the 2019 general election.
Only vote every 5 years -> avoids accountability
Claudia Webbe
- Threatened to send naked pictures of a woman to her family out of jealousy of a friendship she had with her partner as well as being
threatening to use acid against Michelle Merritt
Bad social representation
Social representation of MPs
● 29% of MPs are women and only 6% of MPs make up ethnic minorities.
● Ukip secured 4 millions votes but only secured 1 seat unlike the Scottish national party that got 1.5 million votes and got 56 seats.
Turnout
May 2016 local elections
● Average turnout in May 2016 local elections was 33.8%
Lack of participation
Political party membership
● Only 1.6% of electorate belong to one of three main parties, so don't use this ability
Political Parties are run by elites
Wealthy run media so raise business interests but not held accountable
Rupert Murdoch
● Murdoch group has owned The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun.
● Representatives may distort people's minds to suit own political agenda, undermining democracy
Minorities under-represented
HOC elected with FPTP -> produces mismatch vote and seat share
2 party system -> not representing minor parties
Representatives more interest in party politics, not national interest -> control over members
2009 parliamentary expenses scandal
● -> MPs made false claims for mortgage payments, home insurance, and a duck house!
● Lead to negative public perception of politicians as corrupt, incompetent, betray promises and put party before electorate
Politicians may put their interests and their party's interests before those of the people and betray election promises.
2010 LibDems
For example in 2010 when the Liberal Democrats didn’t follow manifesto promises to scrap tuition fees for students when in coalition government
with the Conservatives.
Quick decision making can lead to oversight and inadequate consultation
Coronavirus Act 2020
● The same Coronavirus Act 2020 drew significant criticism for the way it was expedited through Parliament without the usual levels of
scrutiny or debate.
