Summary Democracy and Participation - Edexcel A-Level Politics
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Course
Democracy and Participation
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
Notes on the democracy and participation topic with detailed examples, essay plans and summaries of each topic. This will make you feel much more reassured in the run-up to your exams
FEATURES OF A LIBERAL DEMOCRACY
- UK is in a system of liberal democracy meaning that
the people give their consent to be governed rather than
be forced under a regime they disagree with
- Features of a Liberal Democracy:
Rule of Law
Independent Judiciary
Fair Elections
Free Elections
Freedom of expression and political information
A constitution
Freedom of association
Protection of rights and liberties
Widespread political participation
The peaceful transition to power
THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION TO POWER
- Often taken for granted
- Those who lose power by democratic means accept the
authority of those who won from the ‘voice of the
people’
- If they do not, politics and society break down
- Helps ensure democracy can hold governments to
account and ensures the legitimacy of those who won
FREE ELECTIONS
- Without free elections, it would be impossible for
democracy to function properly as it’s the main way for
the people’s voices to be heard
- ‘free’ means all adults are free to vote and to stand for
office
- Universal Suffrage
- Shouldn’t discriminate against anyone
- Elections need to be free so everyone can exercise their
right to vote without fear/threats
- Can be done through a secret ballot
, - If a vote was not secret, votes can be bought and sold and
voters can be coerced into voting a certain way or not at
all
FAIR ELECTIONS
- Essentially means everyone has one vote and all votes are
of equal value
- Also suggests there are safeguards to avoid electoral fraud
and ballot rigging
- However, can also mean the candidate who wins the most
votes is therefore the winner of the election
- Yet this is debated as through FPTP if a party gained 25%
of the total votes cast yet still 75% of the rest of voters
didn’t vote for them so the fairness is debated.
WIDESPREAD PARTICIPATION
- It is important for the health of democracy that a large
proportion of the population participates in politics
- Keeps the public well-informed and more inclined to make
correct decisions for the country
- Can also prevent the government from being too
dictatorial
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
- A fundamental element of democracy is freedom of
expression and opinion
- Public criticism of the government should be allowed
without fear of arrest
- Marks the difference between a democracy and a
dictatorship
- Implies no censorship and free media
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
- Freedom to form pressure groups, provided their aims and
methods are legal
- Vital for representation
PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
- Essentially the rights and liberties of citizens are firmly
safeguarded
- Implies a ‘Bill of Rights’ and ‘Basic Law’ to protect the
rights of citizens
, - Examples in the UK: Human Rights Act, Equalities and
Human Rights Commission to promote and protect human
rights for all citizens in the UK
RULE OF LAW
- All citizens should be treated equally under the law
- The government should be subject to the same laws as
the citizens
- Linked to the liberal idea of a limited government and can
hold those to accountable
INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY
- Ensures rule of law is upheld
- Members of the judiciary should be politically independent
and should ensure that everyone is treated equally under
the law
- Also ensures the government does not exceed its authority
- Ensures the rights of citizens is more likely to be upheld
A CONSTITUTION
- Democracy is at risk if there are no firm limits to the
power of government
- Without these, the government could make up their own
laws and rules against public desires
- All democracies have a constitution
HOW DEMOCRATIC IS THE UK?
NOTICEABLE FLAWS
- FPTP produces disproportional results, renders many votes
wasted, and elects governments with small proportions of
the popular vote. Can discriminate against small parties
too.
- House of Lords has considerable influence but is an
unelected body
- Sovereignty of Parliament gives unlimited potential power
to the government
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