What is politics?

1. What is politics? • Politics is the study of how people get what they want

3. Power refers to the ability of an individual or institution to force people to act in a certain way. • Coercive power refers to the use of force such as terror, prison, execution etc as sanctions. The state has coercive power. • Political power refers to the use of rewards, sanctions and the acquisition of consent to behave in a certain way. The government has political power. • Influence is a weak form of power, referring to the ability to influence how people behave, but not forcing them to do so. The media have influence.

4. Authority refers to the right to exercise power. • Authority is granted by those over whom power is to be exercised. • The most common form of authority is legal-rational, usually by election. Parliament enjoys elective authority. • Traditional authority refers to authority which is valid because it has lasted for a long time over many generations. Many monarchies have traditional authority. • Charismatic authority refers to authority gained through the force of one’s personality and ability to command a following. Individuals such as Margaret Thatcher enjoyed charismatic authority.

5. Legitimacy is closely related to authority. • It refers to the degree to which a body or a government can be justified in exercising power. • It might be argued that the House of Commons is legitimate because it is elected while the House of Lords is not because it is not elected. • However, the legitimacy of government in Britain may be challenged because it is always elected on less than a majority of the votes. • A foreign regime may be legitimate because its government is widely recognised, but legitimacy might be disputed

6. A quick test… In pairs and then peer assess

7. Answer the following questions using one or maybe two sentences • What is democracy? • What is direct democracy • What is liberal democracy? • What is participatory democracy? • What is representative democracy? • What is pluralist democracy? • What is political participation? • What’s the difference between a delegate and a representative

8. What is Democracy? • “A system of rule based upon government of the people, by the people and for the people”

9. What is direct democracy? • Direct democracy exists “where the will of the people is translated into public policy directly by the people”

10. What is liberal democracy? LIBERAL DEMOCRACY LIBERAL Basic freedoms enjoyed by all, such as freedom of speech DEMOCRACY Free and fair elections in which two or more parties compete

11. What is participatory democracy? • A compromise between direct and representative democracy • It combines the practicality of representative democracy, with the theoretical appeal of direct democracy – this happens in Switzerland eg minarets referendum

12. What is representative democracy? • Representative democracy is “a form of indirect democracy in which elected politicians act on behalf of the people through a system of regular and periodic elections which enable politicians to be removed from office and made accountable”

13. Pluralist Democracy • This concept means that different groups compete for influence in the political process. It means that even though the election has taken place and MPs have been elected these groups endeavour to influence government policy in their favour – this happens in the USA

14. What is political participation? • Refers to ways in which people can become involved in political processes. • Basic level is in voting, either in elections or referendums. • On a higher level people become politically active, either in parties or in pressure groups. • At the highest level people may seek to be elected or appointed to political office.

15. The people appoint delegates to act on their behalf This is a form of direct democracy In Ancient Greece, delegates were appointed at random The people elect representatives to represent them Electing representatives is a form of indirect democracy There are other forms of indirect democracy; such as liberal democracy and participatory democracy What is the difference between a delegate, and a representative ?

16. What type of democracy is developing in the UK? What are the problems associated with this?

17. What type of democracy beginning to grow in the UK? • Read the Teledemocracy box from your homework sheet and identify the advantages and disadvantages of this type of democracy? • Read the Citizen’s Jury sheet and work out any problems associated with this • Referendums

18. What are the advantages and disadvantages of representative democracy? Introduction: Define representative democracy Development – consider one advantage at a time and then consider why there maybe a disadvantage Conclusion: Come to a final evaluation, suggesting what your view is and whether there are areas that could be improved

19. Arguments FOR representative democracy • Its more practical, and less time-consuming, than direct democracy BUT… • Politicians act in a more rational way than the demos (or people) BUT… • Ensures some degree of public participation (e.g. via voting, joining a pressure group) BUT… • Representatives are always heldtoaccount by the people BUT…

20. Arguments AGAINST representative democracy • Irregular participation (in the case of a General Election, once every four / five years) • Politicians can become out of touch with ordinary people • The people can become bored with the electoral process, and politicians therefore end up speaking to “empty galleries” • Women and ethnic minorities are often under-represented • The government tends to ignore its mandate • Sometimes the voting system is unfair • Representatives often ignore public opinion

21. Some questions to consider • How does representative democracy work in the UK? • Who are the representatives? • Where do they meet? • What do they do? • How are the representatives accountable? • How do representatives act? According to their conscience or as delegates?

22. YES Free and Fair Elections held at regular intervals Political parties are free to air their views and campaign for their parties Politicians are accountable to the people at election time Freedom of speech Freedom of Press Freedom of Association Freedom of Assembly No official discrimination against minority groups Human Rights Act Elections are not free financially and the government can choose the time of the election House of Lords and the Monarch are not elected Smaller political parties may suffer as a result of the electoral system Accountability is blurred: most people vote for or against the party, regardless of the MP Limitations on speech regarding race and laws on defamation of character Limits on issues to do with national security and libel laws Some restrictions on the activity of trade unions The police may break up assemblies that they deem riotous Discrimination still persists in key areas such as employment and housing Human Rights Act is just an Act and can be removed or amended – Terrorism Act Is Britain democratic?

23. MPs FPTP PGs PO HofL TO What do these abbreviations mean? How do they relate to the question – both for and against? Is Britain representative enough?

24. Members of Parliament – do they represent us or follow party lines FPTP – First Past the Post; distorts representation although Scotland and Wales PGs – Pressure Groups shows people are represented, but maybe dominated by wealthy elites PO – Public Opinion; is the government responsive enough given elections only every 5 years HofL – House of Lords; not elected, but some do see to represent the views of the people of the UK TO – Turn out at elections has fallen so the government is not representative What do these abbreviations mean? How do they relate to the question – both for and against? Is Britain representative enough?

25. In what ways did Labour enhance democracy? • Decentralisation of Power – Devolution • Use of Referendums • Proportional Election Systems • House of Lords Reforms • Human Rights Act

26. In what ways is the UK still in a ‘democratic deficit’? • Monarchy/House of Lords • Elective Dictatorship – the power the executive • Terrorism Act vs Human Rights Act – Parliament can still over rule the European Convention on Human Rights • Electoral System • Declining Participation • Lack of a codified entrenched constitution • Devolution – the question; regional and local governments in England could be strengthened • Freedom of information – expenses scandal In your groups on the sheet of paper take the point you have been given; explain it; give an example of how it could be improved

27. In groups you’re going to consider the essay questions • Evaluate the effectiveness of the various ways in which participation and democracy could be strengthened in the UK. • To what extent is there a ‘democratic deficit’ in the UK? • Assess the arguments in favour of the greater use of direct democracy in the UK • How democratic is the UK? • Is the UK representative enough? • Assess the arguments in favour of a representative democracy

28. Task • Write down the question you’ve been given • Design a poster to show what key points you will include (you need 5-6) • In a different colour on the poster make sure you include detailed evidence. • Make sure you use your book, your notes and you may like to send someone to the library to check the VLE for information.