TOPIC 1- Democracy and Political Participation

1. TOPIC 1- Democracy and Political Participation

2. Democracy What is Democracy and the types of democracy

3. Features of democracy-Complete spider diargram

4. Definition • ‘A system of rule based upon government of the people, by the people for the people’. • a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them • US President Abraham Lincoln explained the meaning of democracy • TASK- Fill in worksheet showing the views of Abraham Lincoln on democracy

5. Abraham Lincoln and democacy • OF the people- elected politicians pass laws that people obey • BY the people- everyone, regardless of race, gender etc should be able to stand for election • FOR the people- elected politicians should govern on behalf of the people

6. The way power is exercised • Monarchy – Rule by a single individual • Aristocracy- rule by a few or the ‘best people’ or the elite • Democracy- rule of the many, or rule of the people as a whole • HOWEVER – The Greeks studyed these forms of government and realised that they have a tendency to become corrupt

7. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? Government by the people. A form of government in which the supreme powers is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system • Originated in Ancient Greece in 5th Century BC *democracy derives from ‘demos’ (meaning people) and kratia (meaning power) -’PEOPLE POWER’ or ‘Rule by the people’

8. Why Democracy? • Democracy establishes and protects freedoms • No government can threaten the freedom of the people • Freedom to express views and thoughts • Democracy protects minorities • Democracy must take into account the interested and demands of minority groups • Free voice and free from discrimination • Access to the political process

9. Democracy controls government power • Power corrupts –if people are left to govern to their own devices then they will abuse their power • Regular elections- makes government accountable to the people and no/little corruption of power • Democracy encourages popular participation • Tyranny can be prevented by ensuring people are able to freely participate in politics • People have opportunity to become informed and involved in influencing the decision making progress

10. Democracy disperses power more widely • Power can become concentrated in hands of a small number of people/organisations • Democracy ensures power is dispersed to a wider range of the population

11. Types of democracy-(1) Direct Democracy “A form of democracy that is based on the direct, unmediated and continuous participation of citizens in the tasks of the government” When Greek Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle wrote about democracy they had in mind a system that allowed the many to rule directly -Citizens were allowed to take decisions in public meeting, rather than relying on representatives to discuss and decide on their behalf -This model of democracy originated in Ancient Greece

12. TASK • Read the case study on Athenian democracy and answer the questions that follow

13. Athenian Democracy-A true ‘Direct democracy’ • Ancient Greece was a collection of 1500 city states or polis • Had different forms of power – democracy, oligarchies and tyrannies • Athens was a Direct democracy – Every male citizen had the right to vote • 500-322 BC a form of democracy operated in Athens that has served ever since as the model of ‘classical democracy’ • was very different to the forms found in the modern world

14. Athenian Democracy • no elected officials • specialised posts like a judge were filled by rotation – picked by lots (lottery) • Officials only held post for short periods- 1 year • Very high level of popular participation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6KjOTABL3Y

15. Athenian Democracy continued • Citizens would vote on the passing of legislation and laws directly • Main political body was the assembly (Ecclesia) • Met 40 times a year • Male citizens over 20 years old • Major issues debated- public order, taxation, foreign policy and military affairs • Around 6000 people • Council of 500 citizens acted as the executive • Committee of 50 made proposals to the council- President was elected for only on day and only for one time

16. Direct Democracy-Advantages • GENUNIE DEMOCRACY • The only ‘pure’ form of democracy • it allows for mass participation in politics • the ‘will of the people’ • Personal Development • Creates better informed and more knowledgeable citizens • Encourages people to take more interest in politics and to better understand society

17. End of professional politics • Removes the publics dependency on self-serving professional politicians • Legitimate government • Ensures that rule is legitimate • People are more likely to accept decisions they have made themselves • People will take responsibility for there decisions

18. Direct Democracy-Disadvantages • Tyranny of the majority • John Stewart Mill- Decisions will be made that benefit the majority- but will exclude minorities. • ‘mob rule’- will decisions by ordinary citizens be the right one? • Impracticality • In its true sense it is incompatible in a modern society • Decisions will take a long time

19. Wrong decisions • Some issues may be too complex • People swayed by emotions (irrational)

20. Who has a direct democracy? • Because of the realities of a direct democracy few nations use it. It is incompatible with modern day society MODERN DAY EXAMPLES- • Used at a local level in some states in New England USA- number of people involved is managed • California-wide use of referendums, initiates and recalls -Legalisation of Marijuana, Gay marriage • Switzerland had the closest form to ‘direct democracy’ – citizens can change/prevent law by calling referendums • Britain- use of referendums (1975-EU referendum, 2011 AV referendum) -can also override parliament and change the constitution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5W45Va0cPE&feature=related

21. 2) Representative Democracy • avariety of democracy founded on the principle of elected people representing a group of people, as opposed to direct democracy • Features- • The people elect representatives • People do not make most decisions themselves-delegate powers to their representatives • Free and fair elections • Existence of political parties • Pressure Groups

22. The UK is a representative democracy -People vote for a MP’s to represent there constituency -Voters in each constituency passes on the responsibility of participating in law making to this MP. -Every 5 years the people have the chance to vote into power those they wish to represent us in Parliament -Accountability –- People have control over their representatives MP’s sit in the House of Commons Newly elected MPs in 2010 general election

23. Representative Democracy-Advantages • Practical Democracy • Only form that could operate in large, modern societies • Government by Experts • Representatives (politicians) have better education and expertise and more articulate than the mass of the people • Can act more in the public interest • Division of labour in politics • Citizens don’t have the burden of day-to-day decision making

24. Stability • Helps distance ordinary citizens for politics –encouraging them to accept compromise (apathy) • Responsible government • Allows governments to implement polices that are necessary but unpopular-this would not happened under direct democracy • Representative will have all the facts and relevant research available to them –assess the pros and cons • Issues are not treated in isolation

25. Representative Democracy-Disadvantages • Lack of accountability • Representatives enjoy lengthy terms in office-cannot easily be held publically accountable for their decisions • May distort the demands of the people to suit their own political advantage • Party interests • Representatives often follow their party rather than thinking for themselves or their constituents • Participation • Limits amount of public participation (just elections every 5years) –leads to Apathy

26. Elitism • Representatives democracy has a tendency towards elitism, -drawn from a narrow range of social backgrounds • Large portion of citizens views are not represented • Conflict • May result in too much political conflict and infighting between political parties –only resolved though Direct Democracy • ‘Political bubble’

27. 3) LIBERAL DEMOCRACY “Style of democracy incorporating free and fair elections with a belief in the importance of certain key rights and responsibilities” Features • Individual liberties are respected and well protected • Strong constitution that limits the powers of the government • Free and Fair elections • Governed by a framework of published laws and accepted conventions • Variety of beliefs, opinions, cultures and lifestyles is tolerated • Information freely available to citizens • Peaceful transfer of power

28. DISCUSSION • Is Britain a liberal Democracy? • Discuss in your group

29. -Country is governed by certain ‘core’ liberal principles Embraces the idea of ‘civil liberties’ – Freedom of speech, thought, freedom of assembly, religion -electoral fraud is against the law -Everyone is guaranteed equality under the law -powers of those in the government is curtailed by laws that are enforceable in courts

30. 5) PLURALIST DEMOCRACY • A plural democracy exists where a “variety of beliefs, demands and interests are permitted to flourish together” • Role of government is to protect and promote diversity • Country needs to be socially diverse –wide range of groups, interests, beliefs and ideologies to flourish • Special interest/pressure groups will represent the opinions of the people – esp some Minorities • There will be a special interest group for almost every opinion held by the pop- so representation will be achieved even without people taking an active role • Politicians will seek to please these special interest groups • USA has elements of a pluralist democracy

31. 4) TOTALITATIAN DEMOCRACY • Government controls every meaningful aspect of peoples lives and allows no political opposition • Law full elected representatives • Citizens granted right to vote • Citizens have no participation in the decision making process of the government • The ruling party always wins the elections and referendums • Totalitarian governments claim they have legitimacy

32. -In 2002 President Saddam Hussein of Iraq claimed to have received nearly 100% of the vote on his continued leadership -He was the only candidate -the ‘election’ took place without independent observers to ensure that the process was free or fair -Protesters for liberal democracy claim the ‘contest’ was utterly meaningless

33. The UK can also be considered as pluralist – UK is a free society tolerant of different cultures ideas and demands –as long as they don't break the law Example of pressure groups who would try to influence government policy

34. UK democracy And its features

35. UK Democracy • Britain is considered as having elements of a Representative, Liberal and Pluralist democracy • Its important to see the features of Britain's democracy • There are limitations/criticisims with Britain’s democracy

36. Representative democracy in the UK The UK is divided into constituencies. Each MP represents a constituency. The same applies to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and local councillors. They are expect to represent the interests of the constituency as a whole as well as their constituents as individuals MP’s also represent a Political party –sometimes the loyalty to their party and constituency can clash The key feature in UK democracy is that each individual feels that there is an elected representative who will listen to their problems and try to resolve them

37. Both houses of Parliament are expected to act as a representative to a cross-section of society was a whole • When debates and committee hearings takes place in either house, MPs and peers express what they believe to be the views and interests of various sections of society • HOWEVER- neither House of Parliament can claimed to truly socially representative of the nation as a whole