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Politics Essay

In: Social Issues

Submitted By abdullah1uk
Words 2392
Pages 10
Democracy and participation:
Democracy = a political system based on the idea that government should serve the interests of the people.
Legitimacy = the extent to which a government has the right to rule and exercise power.
Power vs. Authority: * Power= the ability to make someone do something that they would not do of their own free will * E.g - Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends – the military * Authority = the right to exercise power (based on the consent of those being ruled) * E.g - Legal/rational – HOC * E.g – Traditional – HOL
Modern democracies have:
Political tolerance
Peaceful transition of power
Free, fair and regular elections
The government is accountable to the people
The rule of law
Freedom of the media
Modern democracies have:
Political tolerance
Peaceful transition of power
Free, fair and regular elections
The government is accountable to the people
The rule of law
Freedom of the media

What makes a government legitimate? * Referendums (‘Yes’ answers) * High turnout * Free, fair and regular elections * Lack of dissent * Displays of public support
How legitimate is the UK? Legitimate | Not legitimate | * House of Commons is elected | * Electoral system unfair and distorts political representation (FPTP) | * Government elected with mandate to govern | * Every government elected has only achieved the minority of the popular vote | * House of Lords has traditional authority and political influence is widely recognised | * House of Lords members are not elected and so do not have the people’s consent |
Direct democracy: * The people themselves directly make the important decisions which affect them * The people are directly consulted on political decisions * Action taken by the people shapes political decisions (via protests, e-petitions,

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