Democracy - concept collection

The concepts

• Direct democracy - Citizens decide policy themselves rather than electing representatives to do so. Referendums are the textbook UK example (2016 EU, 2014 Scotland, 2011 AV). Other forms include e-petitions, recall petitions and citizens' assemblies - randomly selected panels that deliberate on a policy question and report back (Climate Assembly UK 2020; Ireland on abortion 2018 and marriage equality 2015). Citizens' assemblies are sometimes labelled deliberative democracy when distinguished from binding referendums.
• Representative democracy - Voters elect MPs and councillors who make decisions on their behalf and are held accountable through periodic elections.
• Liberal democracy - Representative democracy plus rights-based limits on majority power: the rule of law, judicial independence, a free press and free elections.
• Pluralist democracy - A democracy where many competing groups - parties, pressure groups, media, courts - share political influence. Power is widely spread.
• Elitist democracy - The view that in practice a small elite of party leaders, civil servants, business and media chiefs makes the real decisions despite the formal democratic structures.
• Majoritarian democracy - Whoever wins the most votes wins everything - the Westminster model. FPTP delivers strong single-party majorities but can lock out minority preferences.
• Democratic deficit - The gap between democratic ideals (full participation, accountability, equal influence) and actual UK practice (low turnout, unelected Lords, party-controlled candidate lists).
• Participation crisis - The view that low turnout, declining party membership and growing voter apathy are creating a long-term legitimacy problem for UK democracy.
• Turnout - The percentage of registered voters who actually cast a vote. UK general election turnout: 71% in 1997, 59% in 2001, 67% in 2019, 60% in 2024.
• Suffrage / franchise - The legal right to vote. The UK franchise widened in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1918, 1928 and 1969. Universal adult suffrage since 1928, at age 18 since 1969.
• Mandate - The authority a winning party claims to enact its manifesto, based on having won the election.
• Recall of MPs - The power to remove an MP between elections if they meet specific misconduct triggers. Recall of MPs Act 2015. Used 2018-19 and 2023.
• Citizens' assembly - A randomly selected group of citizens that deliberates on a policy question and produces recommendations. Climate Assembly UK 2020 is the main example.
• Compulsory voting - A legal requirement to vote, usually with a small fine for non-compliance. Australia uses it; turnout there sits around 87%.
• E-democracy - Use of digital tools - online petitions, e-voting, online consultation - to widen participation. Westminster e-petitions trigger a Commons debate at 100,000 signatures.
• Devolution - Transfer of decision-making power from Westminster to subordinate elected bodies (Holyrood, Senedd, Stormont). A democratic widening since 1998.
• Burkean / trustee model - MPs use their own judgement rather than voter instruction. Edmund Burke 1774: representatives owe judgement, not blind obedience.
• Delegate model - MPs vote as their constituents instruct, treating themselves as messengers. Trade-union and party-conference delegates work this way.

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