Quick quiz

1. Quick quiz • How big was the Labour majority in 1997 & 2005? • What is the term to describe a large majority • Give 3 advantages of single-party govt • Give 3 reasons why govt can’t always claim a mandate • Give 3 points in favour of coalitions

2. Answers • 1997 = 178; 2005 = 66 • Landslide • Pinpoints responsibility; stable govt; clarity • Not sure why people voted a party into power; vague manifestos; events; lack of majority • Avoid lurches to left & right; Third parties & minorities have more say; consensus politics; greater popular support

3. starter activity Read p.60 and take notes on the origins of the word ‘democracy’.  Extension: how perfect was this system? Were there any potential flaws?

4. Should MPs be delegates or representatives?  LOs To be able to explain the differences between direct & representative democracy To debate the role of an MP

5.  Your task • Read p.60 and list the reasons why ‘direct democracy’ as practised in Ancient Greece was seen to be impractical in later centuries • Extension. Complete the task on Thomas Paine

6. Decline of direct democracy • Direct democracy was practised in small city-states in Ancient Greece, 40,000 citizens • Later centuries afraid of ‘people power’ • Thomas Paine, ‘Rights of Man’ (1791), thought Athenian democracy possible only in small communities • Modern societies combine mix of direct & indirect democracy Thomas Paine

7.  Your task • Read p.61 and note define ‘direct democracy’ • Note down examples in direct democracy in modern societies • Read about ‘direct democracy’ in practice in New England on p.61 and list the problems associated with it • Extension. Find examples of direct democracy in local papers

8. Direct democracy • People power or the self-govt of the people • USA – town meetings, e.g. Maine, New England, 440 towns use town meetings as form of govt • USA – referendums, initiatives, recallelections • Switzerland & Italy – regular referendums • Problems: poor attendance; not very socially representative; dominated by ideological extremists

9.  Your task • Read p.62 and note what is meant by ‘representative democracy’ • How is representative democracy carried out in the UK? • Note 3 characteristics of representative democracy • Extension. Which system operates in the UK?

10. Representative democracy • Indirect democracy where those elected represent the views of their constituents • Representative democracy in UK: House of Commons, 646 MPs elected every 5 years (max) • Characteristics: directly represent the interests of their constituents; represent views as best they can; socially representative

11.  Your task • Read p.62-3 and note down ways in which MPs cannot be truly representative • What other individuals act as representatives in British political life? • Extension. Read about Edmund Burke and complete the tasks on the sheet provided Edmund Burke

12. It is the duty of an MP to be more like a delegate than a representative

13.  Plenary • Delegate v representative • Origins of democracy? • Examples of direct democracy? • 3 forms of representation? • Extension – Thomas Paine v. Edmund Burke who would you put in your hall of fame?

14.  Homework • Consolidate your notes – complete any unfinished sections, ensure they are sequenced according to the checklist, gather supplementary evidence for each topic • Extension. Search online for a copy of Burke’s speech to his Bristol constituents and annotate points which refer to the role of an MP using your knowledge from today’s lesson