1. DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION
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
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
