Syllabus Area One:Syllabus Area One:

Living in a Living in a DemocracyDemocracy

What Is a Democracy?What Is a Democracy?

AimsAims::

• Identify why Britain is a democracyIdentify why Britain is a democracy

• Examine our rights and Examine our rights and responsibilities in a democracyresponsibilities in a democracy

What Is a Democracy?What Is a Democracy?

DemocracyDemocracy

Comes from the Greek word ‘demokratia’.Comes from the Greek word ‘demokratia’.

‘‘Demos’ Demos’ People People ‘‘Kratos’Kratos’ PowerPower

In a democracy In a democracy people people have the have the powerpower to to choose choose

their government and participate in how their government and participate in how decisions are made.decisions are made.

Direct DemocracyDirect DemocracyThe earliest democracy dates The earliest democracy dates back to Ancient Greece back to Ancient Greece around 510 BC. All men could around 510 BC. All men could be directly involved in making be directly involved in making decisions. They just went to decisions. They just went to meetings of the Assembly on meetings of the Assembly on a hill in Athens called the a hill in Athens called the Pnyx (Pnyx (slavesslaves, , womenwomen, , childrenchildren, , and and foreignersforeigners were not were not allowed to participate). allowed to participate).

Ancient Greece is an example Ancient Greece is an example of a of a direct democracydirect democracy.. Why would it be difficult to

have a direct democracy in Britain today?

Representative DemocracyRepresentative DemocracyA direct democracy is A direct democracy is difficult to achieve…difficult to achieve…

• There are around 55 There are around 55 million voters in the UK.million voters in the UK.

• Laws would never get Laws would never get passed.passed.

• There are too many laws There are too many laws to be considered.to be considered.

• People do not have the People do not have the time to be involved in the time to be involved in the many different areas of many different areas of governmentgovernment

• Ordinary people may not Ordinary people may not have the expertise to have the expertise to make the right decision.make the right decision.

Britain has a ‘Representative Democracy’. We elect or choose representatives to make decisions on our behalf.

Key WordsKey WordsDemocracyDemocracy

A country where people have the right toA country where people have the right tovote for their government and participatevote for their government and participatein decision-making.in decision-making.

RepresentativeRepresentative

Someone you choose to speak on your Someone you choose to speak on your behalf behalf

and make decisions for you.and make decisions for you.

Types of

Representatives

Member of Parliament (MP)

British Parliament

Member of the European Parliament

(MEP)

European Parliament

Member of the Scottish Parliament

(MSP)

Scottish Parliament

Local Councillors

Local Council/Authority

Rights and ResponsibilitiesRights and Responsibilities Those aged 18 and over Those aged 18 and over

are allowed to vote in are allowed to vote in election.election.

People can protest and People can protest and make our feelings known.make our feelings known.

People can write to People can write to newspapers or express newspapers or express views in print about an views in print about an issue.issue.

People have the right to be People have the right to be protected e.g. NHS, armed protected e.g. NHS, armed forces.forces.

People have the right to People have the right to choose representatives choose representatives and vote on issues.and vote on issues.

People have the right to a People have the right to a fair trial in court and fair trial in court and protection by the police.protection by the police.

People should use their right People should use their right to vote so that everyone’s to vote so that everyone’s views are reflected.views are reflected.

People must obey the law People must obey the law and not limit or restrict the and not limit or restrict the rights of others.rights of others.

People must not tell lies or People must not tell lies or slander people – this is slander people – this is illegal.illegal.

People must pay their taxes People must pay their taxes to help provide money for to help provide money for services e.g. NHS, armed services e.g. NHS, armed forces.forces.

People must accept the People must accept the decision of the majority.decision of the majority.

People must uphold the law People must uphold the law and support the police in and support the police in their work.their work.

How Are MPs ElectedHow Are MPs Elected??

AimsAims::

• Identify how a person gets elected as Identify how a person gets elected as an MP.an MP.

• Examine the different features of an Examine the different features of an election campaignelection campaign

Who Can Become An MP?Who Can Become An MP?

• Have to be over 21Have to be over 21• Nominated (chosen) by ten voters in Nominated (chosen) by ten voters in

your constituencyyour constituency• Submit a £500 depositSubmit a £500 deposit• The deposit will be returned if you The deposit will be returned if you

get 5% of the vote.get 5% of the vote.

Who Can Become An MP?Who Can Become An MP?• Most candidates represent a Most candidates represent a

political party.political party.• The national party ‘approves’ The national party ‘approves’

potential candidates.potential candidates.• They then have to be chosen by They then have to be chosen by

their local party members (or their local party members (or Constituency Party).Constituency Party).

• Previous experience is important Previous experience is important e.g. your job, being involved in the e.g. your job, being involved in the local council.local council.

• Candidates have to go through a Candidates have to go through a selection process and be selection process and be interviewed for the job.interviewed for the job.

The Election CampaignThe Election CampaignIn the weeks running up to an election, candidates andIn the weeks running up to an election, candidates andpolitical parties try to persuade people to vote for them political parties try to persuade people to vote for them this is known as the ELECTION CAMPAIGN.this is known as the ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

National LevelNational Level Local LevelLocal Level

Win support for Win support for Candidate tries to winCandidate tries to winyour partyyour party local votes by meeting local votes by meeting Explain your policiesExplain your policies voters and showing concernvoters and showing concern

for local issues.for local issues.

A good national campaign will encourage local voters to vote A good national campaign will encourage local voters to vote for for

that party’s candidate.that party’s candidate.

Party with the most MPs forms the government. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister

Candidate with the most votes wins the election and becomes the MP

The Election CampaignThe Election CampaignNational LevelNational Level

*Election manifestoes*Election manifestoes*Party Political Broadcasts*Party Political Broadcasts*Interviews by party *Interviews by party leadersleaders*Daily press conferences*Daily press conferences*Visits to various parts of*Visits to various parts of the countrythe country*Posters/Adverts*Posters/Adverts*Campaign websites/blogs*Campaign websites/blogs*TV Debates*TV Debates

Local LevelLocal Level

*Leaflets*Leaflets

*Public meetings*Public meetings

*Canvass voters*Canvass voters

*Interviews with local*Interviews with local

press/radiopress/radio

*Walkabouts*Walkabouts

*Posters*Posters

Voting At ElectionsVoting At Elections

AimsAims::

Examine trends in voter turnout Examine trends in voter turnout during past elections.during past elections.

Identify the reasons why people Identify the reasons why people should use their right to vote.should use their right to vote.

KeywordsKeywords

Manifesto – a documentManifesto – a document which states each party’s policiesParty Political Broadcast – a 5 min television advert for a particular advertPress Conference – a daily briefing for journalists about party’s policies.

Voter Turnout At ElectionsVoter Turnout At Elections

• Between 1970 and 1997, voter turnout Between 1970 and 1997, voter turnout (% of people who voted) was always (% of people who voted) was always above 70% for above 70% for general electionsgeneral elections..

• Recent voter turnoutRecent voter turnout

20012001 59.4%59.4%

20052005 61%61%

20102010 65.1%65.1%

Why Has Voter Turnout Why Has Voter Turnout DeclinedDeclined??

There is a decline in trust for politicians There is a decline in trust for politicians e.g. expenses scandal.e.g. expenses scandal.People are less interested in politics.People are less interested in politics.Election turnout is higher for a general Election turnout is higher for a general election than it is for local council election than it is for local council elections.elections.Less people belong to political parties and Less people belong to political parties and are therefore less likely to vote.are therefore less likely to vote.People often think their vote doesn’t make People often think their vote doesn’t make much of a difference in a safe seat much of a difference in a safe seat compared to a marginal seat.compared to a marginal seat.

Why Is It Important That Why Is It Important That People Vote At ElectionsPeople Vote At Elections??

Opportunity to Opportunity to elect representativeselect representatives who make who make decisions on your behalf e.g. MPs, local councillors.decisions on your behalf e.g. MPs, local councillors.Opportunity to have a say on Opportunity to have a say on important issuesimportant issues at a at a referendum e.g. setting up of Scottish Parliament.referendum e.g. setting up of Scottish Parliament.It is an It is an important rightimportant right. If people don’t use that . If people don’t use that right future governments could take it away.right future governments could take it away.If the If the election turnoutelection turnout is low then the government is low then the government can’t claim to represent the majority of people in can’t claim to represent the majority of people in Britain.Britain.The only way to The only way to change the governmentchange the government is to vote is to vote for another one.for another one.

The First Past the Post SystemThe First Past the Post System

AimAim::

Identify how the result of a general Identify how the result of a general

election is decided.election is decided.

Which Candidate Wins?Which Candidate Wins?

Constituency AConstituency A

LabourLabour 21,200 21,200 ConservativeConservative 21, 19921, 199Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat 12,00012,000SNPSNP 10,00010,000

The winning candidate has a majority of The winning candidate has a majority of one. This is an example of a marginal seat - one. This is an example of a marginal seat - where the vote is close.where the vote is close.

Constituency BConstituency B

LabourLabour 35,000 35,000 ConservativeConservative 15,00015,000Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat 7,000 7,000SNPSNP 8,000 8,000

The winning candidate has a majority of The winning candidate has a majority of twenty twenty

thousand. This is an example of a safe seat - thousand. This is an example of a safe seat - where one party is so strong that they can where one party is so strong that they can usually count on winning the election.usually count on winning the election.

Argyll and Bute 2010Argyll and Bute 2010

Alan ReidAlan Reid Lib DemLib Dem 14,292 14,292 31.6%31.6%Gary MulvaneyGary Mulvaney ConsCons 10,861 10,861 24.0%24.0%David GrahamDavid Graham LabLab 10,274 10,274 22.7%22.7%Michael MacKenzieMichael MacKenzie SNPSNP 8, 563 8, 563 18.9%18.9%

1.1. Who won the election and why?Who won the election and why?2.2. What was the winning candidate’s majority?What was the winning candidate’s majority?3.3. Why would some people claim the result of the Why would some people claim the result of the

election was unfair?election was unfair?4.4. Is this a safe or marginal seat?Is this a safe or marginal seat?

General Election 2010General Election 2010

SeatsSeats % of % of VoteVote

ConservativeConservative 307307 36.1%36.1%LabourLabour 258258 29.0%29.0%Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats 57 57 23.0%23.0%OthersOthers 28 28 11.9% 11.9%

TotalTotal 650 650 Government MajorityGovernment Majority

Which Party Wins the General Which Party Wins the General ElectionElection??

*The party with the *The party with the most MPsmost MPs after all the after all the votes are counted becomes the votes are counted becomes the governmentgovernment..

*The *The leaderleader of that party becomes the of that party becomes the Prime Prime MinisterMinister..

*If the winning party has more MPs than all *If the winning party has more MPs than all the other parties added together this is the other parties added together this is called an called an overall majorityoverall majority..

* After the 2010 election, no party had an * After the 2010 election, no party had an overall majority so the Conservatives and overall majority so the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed a Liberal Democrats formed a coalition coalition government.government.

The First Past the Post SystemThe First Past the Post System

We Are Learning ToWe Are Learning To::

Identify the advantages and Identify the advantages and

disadvantages of the First Past the disadvantages of the First Past the

Post SystemPost System

First Past the PostFirst Past the Post

AdvantagesAdvantages::

*Easy to understand*Easy to understand*Fair*Fair*Results known *Results known

quicklyquickly*One MP for each*One MP for eachconstituencyconstituency*One party is usually *One party is usually

aa clear winnerclear winner

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

*Large parties *Large parties benefitbenefit

*Unfair to smaller *Unfair to smaller partiesparties*Wasted votes*Wasted votes*People don’t vote in*People don’t vote in safe seatssafe seats

General Election 2010General Election 2010

SeatsSeats % of % of % of% ofVoteVote SeatsSeats

ConservativeConservative 307307 36.1%36.1% 47.3%47.3%LabourLabour 258258 29.0%29.0% 39.7%39.7%Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats 5757 23.0%23.0% 8.8%8.8%OthersOthers 2828 11.9%11.9% 4.2%4.2%

TotalTotal 650 650 Government MajorityGovernment Majority

PartyParty % of % of VotesVotes

Number Number of Seats of Seats They They Should Should HaveHave

Number Number of Seats of Seats They Did They Did HaveHave

LabourLabour 36.236.2 234234 356356

ConservativConservativee

33.233.2 214214 198198

Liberal Liberal

DemocratDemocrat22.622.6 146146 6262

OthersOthers 7.07.0 5252 3030

2005 General Election

Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation

We Are Learning To:We Are Learning To:

Identify how Proportional Identify how Proportional Representation Representation

(PR) can be used to decide the result (PR) can be used to decide the result of of

an election.an election.

Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation

Advantages:Advantages:

• It is fair. Each party It is fair. Each party gets the same % of gets the same % of MPs as votes.MPs as votes.

• Small parties get Small parties get better representationbetter representation

• All votes are importantAll votes are important• Many other countries Many other countries

use PR e.g. Italy, use PR e.g. Italy, Ireland.Ireland.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages::

• Can be complicated to Can be complicated to understand/organise.understand/organise.

• Often leads to Often leads to coalition government coalition government as no party has a as no party has a majority – nobody has majority – nobody has voted for a coalition.voted for a coalition.

• Smaller parties get too Smaller parties get too much power – their much power – their support can determine support can determine who is in a coalition who is in a coalition government.government.

• Representatives may Representatives may not have a direct link not have a direct link with their with their constituents.constituents.

Democracy – Homework Exercise Democracy – Homework Exercise 11

1.1. Describe the rights and Describe the rights and responsibilities which UK citizens responsibilities which UK citizens have.have. (6 marks)(6 marks)

2.2. Outline the advantages and Outline the advantages and disadvantages of the First Past the disadvantages of the First Past the Post Electoral System.Post Electoral System.(6 marks)(6 marks)

Due Monday 27Due Monday 27thth March 2006 March 2006

What Is The GovernmentWhat Is The Government??

We Are Learning ToWe Are Learning To::

• Identify the role played by the Prime Identify the role played by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.Minister and the Cabinet.

• Examine how MPs represent their Examine how MPs represent their constituents in Parliament.constituents in Parliament.

What Is The GovernmentWhat Is The GovernmentWhen people talk about our government, they often When people talk about our government, they often use the word PARLIAMENT.use the word PARLIAMENT.

Parliament is made up of:Parliament is made up of:

• House of Commons (MPs)House of Commons (MPs)• House of LordsHouse of Lords• MonarchyMonarchy

Each part of Parliament plays a part in how laws are Each part of Parliament plays a part in how laws are made in this countrymade in this country

What Is the GovernmentWhat Is the Government??

• The government is in charge of The government is in charge of running the country and is made up running the country and is made up of the Prime Minister and the of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.Cabinet.

• The Prime Minister picks the most The Prime Minister picks the most important MPs in their party to help important MPs in their party to help him or her form a government. This him or her form a government. This is called the is called the CabinetCabinet..

• The Cabinet makes the important The Cabinet makes the important decisions and runs the country.decisions and runs the country.

The Role of the MPThe Role of the MP

We Are Learning To:We Are Learning To:

Identify how MPs represent their Identify how MPs represent their

constituents (people from their local constituents (people from their local

area) in Parliament.area) in Parliament.

The Whip SystemThe Whip System

Every political party appoints ‘Party Every political party appoints ‘Party Whips’Whips’It is the Whips job to make sure that It is the Whips job to make sure that MPs support their party and leader in MPs support their party and leader in key votes in the House of Commons.key votes in the House of Commons.If an MP refuses to support their party If an MP refuses to support their party he/she may have the Whip withdrawn. he/she may have the Whip withdrawn. This means their party does not This means their party does not support them and they may not be support them and they may not be selected to stand for the party in the selected to stand for the party in the next election.next election.

The Whip SystemThe Whip System

How Does It Work?How Does It Work?

Each week, the Whips issue MPs notes on Each week, the Whips issue MPs notes on the order of business in Parliament forthe order of business in Parliament forthe coming week.the coming week.

*One line whips *One line whips asksasks the MP to attend the the MP to attend the HouseHouse*Two line whips *Two line whips expectsexpects the MP to attend and the MP to attend and

support support the governmentthe government*Three line whip *Three line whip demandsdemands an MP’s attendance and an MP’s attendance and support.support.

The Work of an MPThe Work of an MPHours Worked by An MPHours Worked by An MP::

Mon-FriMon-Fri

House of CommonsHouse of Commons2.30-10.30pm2.30-10.30pm

(Can be later if there are (Can be later if there are

important debates)important debates)

Sat-SunSat-Sun

Work in ConstituencyWork in Constituency

Hours Worked By An MSPHours Worked By An MSP(Scottish Parliament)(Scottish Parliament)

MonMon Work in Work in constituencyconstituency

Tues-FriTues-Fri

Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament9.30am – 5pm9.30am – 5pm

Fri-SunFri-Sun

Work in constituencyWork in constituency

The Work of an MPThe Work of an MP

Question TimeQuestion Time

• Can ask Cabinet (Government) Can ask Cabinet (Government) ministers questions about what they ministers questions about what they have done.have done.

• Prime Minister’s Question Time is on a Prime Minister’s Question Time is on a Wednesday for 30 mins.Wednesday for 30 mins.

• Questions are given 3 days in Questions are given 3 days in advance.advance.

The Work of an MPThe Work of an MP

Debates Debates (Discussions)(Discussions)

• These always take place when new These always take place when new laws are being passed.laws are being passed.

• MPs can make speeches and ask MPs can make speeches and ask questions.questions.

• In some debates, MPs will be asked In some debates, MPs will be asked to vote on an issue or a new law.to vote on an issue or a new law.

The Work of an MPThe Work of an MP

CommitteesCommittees

• Keep an eye on what the Keep an eye on what the government is doing and examine government is doing and examine new laws.new laws.

• MPs can join these committee and MPs can join these committee and put forward the views of his/her local put forward the views of his/her local area.area.

Pressures on an MPPressures on an MP

ConstituentsConstituents

PartyParty

Local areaLocal area

National InterestNational Interest

Ideological BeliefsIdeological Beliefs

Individual conscienceIndividual conscience

Pressure GroupsPressure Groups

MediaMedia