Democracy, voting and elections
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Distinguish direct and representative democracy
- Direct democracy lets electors decide a defined question, as in a referendum; representative democracy elects people to deliberate and decide. The legal effect of a referendum depends on its arrangements rather than its name alone.
- The UK combines parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy. Democratic quality also involves accountability, fair participation, rights and the rule of law; holding a vote alone does not establish every safeguard.
Compare the decision route
Apply first past the post to a constituency
- For a UK Commons election, one MP is elected in each of 650 constituencies. In an untied FPTP count, the candidate with the greatest number of votes wins; more than half is not required.
- Original fictional count: A gets 40 votes, B 35 and C 25, with 100 valid votes in total. A wins with 40%, while 60% chose other candidates. This is a plurality, not an absolute majority.
Count an original fictional FPTP contest
Separate a Parliament’s term from polling dates
- The ordinary maximum Parliament lasts five years from its first meeting before automatic dissolution; earlier dissolution is possible. Polling follows the statutory election timetable, normally 25 working days after dissolution.
- The electorate chooses constituency MPs, not a Prime Minister on a separate national ballot. The government must command Commons confidence; a hung Parliament can lead to coalition or minority arrangements rather than no government.
Separate election and government concepts
Read eligibility for the particular election
- Electoral Commission rules checked for this lesson state 18 for UK parliamentary general elections, with registration and other franchise conditions. Voting from 16 applies to Scottish Parliament/council and Welsh Senedd/local elections; rules differ elsewhere.
- Age alone is not sufficient: citizenship/residence conditions and legal exclusions depend on the contest. Registration can be possible before voting age. Check current official guidance and distinguish a proposed reform from rules already operating.
Check eligibility for the contest
Calculate and interpret turnout
- For this worked measure, turnout is voters divided by registered electorate, multiplied by 100. Original fictional example: 600 of 1,000 registered electors vote, so turnout is 60%; this is not 60% of every person who could potentially register.
- A lower rate does not identify motives. Investigate access barriers, distrust or perceived choice as well as possible apathy; unregistered people are outside this denominator, and estimated age-group comparisons need a stated method and date.
Calculate fictional registered-electorate turnout
Compare voting systems through a criterion
- FPTP gives a single constituency choice and can produce a single-party majority, while seats may diverge from vote shares. A local winner need not have majority support, and party effects depend on the geography of votes.
- Proportional systems seek closer vote/seat correspondence, subject to allocation rules and thresholds. AV ranks candidates for a single seat and is not a proportional system simply because preferences transfer. Different UK elections use different systems.
Compare systems without guarantees
Distinguish parties, pressure groups and access
- Parties seek electoral office and offer policy programmes/manifestos; pressure groups primarily seek policy influence. Individual people may participate in both, and an MP can also be independent of a party.
- Insider groups have recognised access to relevant consultation; outsiders lack or reject it and may rely more on public campaigning. This is a relationship that can vary, not a permanent label determining whether every tactic is lawful or effective.
Distinguish purpose and access
Explain devolution and constitutional roles
- The Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and Northern Ireland Assembly have specified devolved powers under different settlements. Some responsibilities remain at UK level; devolution does not itself mean independence.
- The politically impartial monarch is head of state with formal constitutional duties; the Prime Minister heads government. Parliament scrutinises government, so government, Parliament, monarch and political party should not be treated as interchangeable.
Keep institutions distinct
Evaluate participation without inventing results
- Original fictional proposal: a council offers clearer election information and more accessible voting arrangements. Investigate whether intended users were reached and compare like-for-like turnout, rather than assume publicity necessarily caused an increase.
- Judge an electoral arrangement against stated criteria: inclusion, accountability, proportionality or government formation. Explain competing effects, evidence limits and who benefits; a single number cannot settle every judgement about democracy.
Evaluate a fictional participation proposal
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Câu hỏi luyện tập
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1.What is democracy?
Easy- Aa system in which people exercise political power directly or through accountable representatives
- Brule by one person
- Crule by the army
- Drule by wealth
2.For a UK House of Commons election, what is a constituency?
Easy- Aa political party
- Ba pressure group
- Ca law
- Da geographic area represented by an MP
3.What is a referendum?
Easy- Aa local election
- Ba party conference
- Ca vote by the electorate on a particular question or proposal
- Da general election
4.What is a manifesto?
Easy- Aa report
- Ba statement of policies and commitments a party offers to voters
- Ca law
- Da petition
5.For the registered-electorate turnout measure used in this lesson, what is turnout?
Easy- Athe proportion of registered electors recorded as voting, expressed as a percentage
- Bthe number of MPs
- Cthe number of parties
- Dthe number of laws
6.Under the current ordinary UK rule, what is the maximum term of a Parliament before automatic dissolution?
Easy- Aexactly five years between polling days with no early election
- Bten years from the previous polling day
- Cone year from its first meeting
- Dfive years from its first meeting
7.In a single-member constituency with no tied first place, how does first past the post select the winner?
Easy- Aseats match vote shares
- Btwo rounds are held
- Cthe candidate with the most votes wins the seat
- Dthe candidate needs over 50%
8.What is proportional representation?
Easy- Arandom seats
- Ba family of systems intended to make seats more closely reflect votes, subject to rules and thresholds
- Cwinner takes all
- Dno voting
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