1.1.5

Comparing Types of Democracy

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Comparing Direct & Representative Democracies

There are some similarities between the two types of democracy, but mainly differences in the ways decisions are made.

Similarities

Similarities

Both representative and direct democracies are forms of democracy that allow voters to make important decisions.

Differences

Differences

Each and every voter makes decisions directly in direct democracies.
In representative democracies, a representative makes decisions on behalf of a large number of voters.
In representative democracies like the UK, constituency sizes vary, meaning votes may not be of equal value in practice.
Direct democracy uses public votes to make decisions directly.
In representative democracies, the votes for a representative are taken as a mandate for them to act on behalf of voters.

Mandates

Mandates

A mandate is the authority given by voters to a party to implement its policies following an election victory.
In a representative democracy, mandates are inferred from election results rather than direct policy votes.

1

Democracy & Participation

1.1

Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1Direct Democracy 1.1.2Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy 1.1.3Representative Democracy 1.1.4Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy 1.1.5Comparing Types of Democracy 1.1.6Case for Democratic Reform 1.1.7End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy 1.1.8Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy

1.2

Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1History of the UK Franchise 1.2.2Campaigns for Suffrage 1.2.3End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage

1.3

Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1Types of Pressure Group 1.3.2Functions of Pressure Groups 1.3.3How Pressure Groups Influence 1.3.4Case-Study Examples 1.3.5Other Collective Orgs & Groups 1.3.6End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences 1.3.7Application Questions - Pressure Groups

1.4

Rights in Context

1.4.1Development of Rights in the UK 1.4.2The UK's Rights-Based Culture 1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

2

Political Parties

2.1

How Political Parties Work

2.1.1Functions & Features of UK Political Parties 2.1.2Funding of UK Political Parties 2.1.3UK Funding Reform 2.1.4End of Topic Test - Political Parties 2.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties

2.2

Established Political Parties

2.2.1The Conservative Party: History 2.2.2The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders 2.2.3The Labour Party 2.2.4The Liberal Democrat Party 2.2.5Ideas & Policies of UK Parties 2.2.6End of Topic Test - Established Parties 2.2.7Application Questions - Established Parties

2.3

Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1Minority Parties 2.3.2Minority Parties Case Studies 2.3.3End of Topic Test - Minor Parties

2.4

UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1Different Party Systems 2.4.2Political Spectrum 2.4.3Factors Affecting Party Success 2.4.4End of Topic Test - Parties in Context 2.4.5Application Questions - Parties in Context

3

Electoral Systems

3.1

Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1FPTP & STV 3.1.2AMS & SV 3.1.3End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems 3.1.4Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems

3.2

Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1Case For & Against Referendums 3.2.2End of Topic Test - Referendums 3.2.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums

3.3

Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1Electoral System Analysis 3.3.2End of Topic Test - System Analysis 3.3.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis

4

Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1

General Election Case Studies

4.1.1Case Studies of Elections 4.1.2Factors Influencing Voting in Elections 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors 4.1.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting

4.2

Media Influence

4.2.1Media Influence 4.2.2End of Topic Test - Media Influence

5

Conservatism

5.1

Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1Pragmatism & Tradition 5.1.2Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State 5.1.3Authority & Hierarchy 5.1.4Paternalism 5.1.5Empiricism 5.1.6Anti-Permissiveness 5.1.7Radical Conservative Ideas 5.1.8End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism

5.2

Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1Traditional Conservatism 5.2.2One-Nation Conservatism 5.2.3New Right Conservatism 5.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Views

5.3

Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke 5.3.2Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand 5.3.3Robert Nozick 5.3.4End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers 5.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism

6

Liberalism

6.1

Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1Individualism & Freedom/Liberty 6.1.2The State & Rationalism 6.1.3Equality & Social Justice 6.1.4Liberal Democracy 6.1.5Other Important Liberal Ideas 6.1.6End of Topic Test - Liberalism

6.2

Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1Classical Liberalism 6.2.2Modern Liberalism 6.2.3End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views

6.3

Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft 6.3.2John Stuart Mill & John Rawls 6.3.3Betty Friedan 6.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas 6.3.5A-A* - Liberalism

7

Socialism

7.1

Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1Fraternity & Co-operation 7.1.2Capitalism & Common Ownership 7.1.3Communism 7.1.4Collectivism 7.1.5Common Humanity 7.1.6Equality 7.1.7Social Class & Workers' Control 7.1.8End of Topic Test - Socialism

7.2

Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1Differing Views And Tensions 7.2.2End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions

7.3

Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels 7.3.2Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg 7.3.3Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens 7.3.4End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas 7.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism

8

The UK Constitution

8.1

Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1Development of the UK Constitution 8.1.2Nature of the UK Constitution 8.1.3Sources of the UK Constitution 8.1.4End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources

8.2

Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1Constitutional Reform since 1997 (1)8.2.2Constitutional Reform since 1997 (2)8.2.3Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 2015 8.2.4End of Topic Test - Reform 8.2.5Application Questions - Reform

8.3

Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1Devolution in England & Scotland 8.3.2Devolution in Wales & Northern Ireland 8.3.3End of Topic Test - Devolution

8.4

Debates on Constitutional Reform

8.4.1Constitutional Reform & Devolution 8.4.2Should the Constitution Be Codified?8.4.3End of Topic Test - Reform Debates 8.4.4Application Questions - Codification & Devolution

9

The UK Parliament

9.1

Houses of Parliament

9.1.1Houses of Parliament 9.1.2Functions of the House of Commons 9.1.3Functions of the House of Lords 9.1.4End of Topic Test - Parliament 9.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Parliament

9.2

Comparative Powers

9.2.1Comparative Powers of the Houses 9.2.2End of Topic Test - Comparative Powers

9.3

Legislative Process

9.3.1Legislative Stages 9.3.2Law-Making in the two Houses 9.3.3End of Topic Test - Legislative Process

9.4

Parliament & Executive Interactions

9.4.1Backbenchers 9.4.2Select Committees 9.4.3The Opposition 9.4.4Ministerial Question Time 9.4.5End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive 9.4.6Application Questions - Parliament & Executive

10

The Prime Minister & the Executive

10.1

The Executive

10.1.1Structure of the Executive 10.1.2Roles of the Executive 10.1.3Powers of the Executive 10.1.4End of Topic Test - PM & Executive

10.2

Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.1Individual Ministerial Responsibility 10.2.2Collective Ministerial Responsibility 10.2.3End of Topic Test - Ministerial Responsibility

10.3

Prime Minister & the Cabinet

10.3.1Role of the Prime Minister 10.3.2Prime Minister's Powers 10.3.3Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers 10.3.4Role of the Cabinet 10.3.5Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations 10.3.6Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power 10.3.7Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies 10.3.8End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet 10.3.9Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet

11

Relationships Between Government Branches

11.1

The Supreme Court

11.1.1Role & Composition 11.1.2Principles & Influence of the Supreme Court 11.1.3End of Topic Test - Supreme Court

11.2

Parliament & Executive Relations

11.2.1Parliament & Executive: Questions 11.2.2Parliament & Executive: Committees 11.2.3Parliament & Executive: Voting 11.2.4Executive Dominance Over Parliament 11.2.5Balance of Power 11.2.6End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive 11.2.7A-A* (AO3/4) - Relationships Between Government

11.3

The European Union & the UK

11.3.1Aims & Policymaking of the European Union 11.3.2End of Topic Test - EU & UK

11.4

Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.1Sovereignty in the UK Political System 11.4.2End of Topic Test - Sovereignty

12

US Constitution & Federalism

12.1

Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.1Nature of the US Constitution 12.1.2Nature: Positives & Negatives 12.1.3Constitutional Framework 12.1.4The Amendment Process 12.1.5End of Topic Test - Nature US Constitution

12.2

Principles of the US Constitution

12.2.1Federalism 12.2.2Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances 12.2.3Bipartisanship 12.2.4Limited Government 12.2.5End of Topic Test - Constitutional Principles

12.3

Federalism

12.3.1Main Characteristics 12.3.2Federal Government and the States 12.3.3End of Topic Test - Federalism

12.4

Interpretations & Debates

12.4.1Democracy in the Constitution 12.4.2Federalism 12.4.3End of Topic Test - Debates 12.4.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Constitution

13

US Congress

13.1

Structure of Congress

13.1.1Structure of Congress 13.1.2Distribution of Powers 13.1.3End of Topic Test - Congress Structure

13.2

Functions of Congress

13.2.1Representation 13.2.2Legislative 13.2.3Oversight 13.2.4End of Topic Test - Functions of Congress

13.3

Interpretations & Debates

13.3.1Changing Roles & Powers 13.3.2Changing Significance of Parties & of Powers 13.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates 13.3.4Application Questions - US Congress

14

US Presidency

14.1

Presidential Power

14.1.1Formal Sources of Presidential Power 14.1.2Informal Sources of Presidential Power 14.1.3Powers of Persuasion 14.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Power

14.2

The Presidency

14.2.1President Relationship with Other Institutions 14.2.2Limitations on Presidential Power 14.2.3US Presidents Achieving Their Aims 14.2.4End of Topic Test - Presidency

14.3

Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency

14.3.1The Imperial Presidency 14.3.2The President in Foreign Policy 14.3.3End of Topic Test - Debates 14.3.4A-A* (AO3/4) - US Presidency

15

US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

15.1

Nature & Role of Supreme Court

15.1.1Nature & Role of the Supreme Court 15.1.2End of Topic Test - Nature & Role

15.2

Supreme Court Appointment Process

15.2.1Appointment Process 15.2.2Supreme Court Membership 15.2.3End of Topic Test - Appointments

15.3

The Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.1Supreme Court & Public Policy 15.3.2End of Topic Test - Public Policy

15.4

Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.1Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights 15.4.2Race & Rights in Contemporary US Politics 15.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights & Liberties

15.5

Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court

15.5.1Political Nature of the Supreme Court 15.5.2Judicial Interpretation 15.5.3Supreme Court Checks & Balances 15.5.4End of Topic Test - Debates 15.5.5Application Questions - The Supreme Court

16

US Democracy & Participation

16.1

Presidential Elections

16.1.1Presidential Elections 16.1.2Primaries 16.1.3National Party Conventions 16.1.4End of Topic Test - Presidential Elections

16.2

Electoral College

16.2.1Electoral College System 16.2.2Reforms 16.2.3End of Topic Test - Electoral College

16.3

Electoral Campaigns

16.3.1Issues in Elections 16.3.2End of Topic Test - Campaigns

16.4

Incumbency

16.4.1Elections & Incumbency 16.4.2End of Topic Test - Incumbency 16.4.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Elections & Electoral College

16.5

Democrats & Republicans

16.5.1National & State Level Organisation 16.5.2Democratic & Republican Policies 16.5.3Changing Party Significance 16.5.4End of Topic Test - Democrats & Republicans

16.6

Internal Conflict & Ideology

16.6.1Types of Democrats 16.6.2Types of Republicans 16.6.3End of Topic Test - Internal Conflict

16.7

Support & Demographics

16.7.1Coalition of Supporters 16.7.2End of Topic Test - Party Support

16.8

Interest Groups

16.8.1Political Significance of Interest Groups 16.8.2Interest Group Influence & Impact on Democracy 16.8.3End of Topic Test - Interest Groups 16.8.4Application Questions - Parties, Ideology & Groups

17

Comparing Democracies

17.1

Theoretical Approaches

17.1.1Theoretical Approaches 17.1.2End of Topic Test - Approaches

17.2

UK & USA Similarities & Differences

17.2.1Constitution: Nature 17.2.2Constitution: Provisions & Principles 17.2.3Federal System & Devolution 17.2.4Legislative: Lower Houses of Government 17.2.5Legislative: Upper Houses of Government 17.2.6Legislative: Powers & Functions 17.2.7Executive 17.2.8Supreme Court 17.2.9Supreme Court: Judicial Independence 17.2.10Civil Rights 17.2.11Civil Rights: Interest Groups 17.2.12Party Systems & Parties 17.2.13Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups 17.2.14End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US 17.2.15Application Questions - UK & USA

18

Feminism

18.1

Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

18.1.1Context of Feminism 18.1.2Sex & Gender 18.1.3Patriarchy & The Personal is the Political 18.1.4Difference, Egalitarian & Intersectionality 18.1.5Key Themes 18.1.6End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

18.2

Different Types of Feminism

18.2.1The Waves of Feminism 18.2.2Socialist & Radical Feminism 18.2.3Post-Modern Feminism 18.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Types of Feminism

18.3

Feminist Thinkers & Their Ideas

18.3.1Charlotte Gilman & Simone de Beauvoir 18.3.2Kate Millett 18.3.3Sheila Rowbotham & bell hooks 18.3.4End of Topic Test - Feminist Thinkers & Ideas 18.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Feminism

19

Nationalism

19.1

Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

19.1.1Nations & Self-Determination 19.1.2Nation-States & Culturalism 19.1.3Racialism & Internationalism 19.1.4Civic & Ethnic Nationalism 19.1.5Liberal & Socialist Internationalism 19.1.6Key Themes 19.1.7End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

19.2

Different Types of Nationalism

19.2.1Liberal & Conservative Nationalism 19.2.2Post-Colonial & Expansionist Nationalism 19.2.3Progressive & Regressive Nationalism 19.2.4Inclusive & Exclusive Nationalism 19.2.5End of Topic Test -Different Types of Nationalism

19.3

Nationalist Thinkers & Their Ideas

19.3.1Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Gottfried von Herder 19.3.2Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras 19.3.3Marcus Garvey 19.3.4End of Topic Test - Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas 19.3.5A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalism

Jump to other topics

1

Democracy & Participation

1.1

Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1Direct Democracy 1.1.2Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy 1.1.3Representative Democracy 1.1.4Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy 1.1.5Comparing Types of Democracy 1.1.6Case for Democratic Reform 1.1.7End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy 1.1.8Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy

1.2

Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1History of the UK Franchise 1.2.2Campaigns for Suffrage 1.2.3End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage

1.3

Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1Types of Pressure Group 1.3.2Functions of Pressure Groups 1.3.3How Pressure Groups Influence 1.3.4Case-Study Examples 1.3.5Other Collective Orgs & Groups 1.3.6End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences 1.3.7Application Questions - Pressure Groups

1.4

Rights in Context

1.4.1Development of Rights in the UK 1.4.2The UK's Rights-Based Culture 1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

2

Political Parties

2.1

How Political Parties Work

2.1.1Functions & Features of UK Political Parties 2.1.2Funding of UK Political Parties 2.1.3UK Funding Reform 2.1.4End of Topic Test - Political Parties 2.1.5Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties

2.2

Established Political Parties

2.2.1The Conservative Party: History 2.2.2The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders 2.2.3The Labour Party 2.2.4The Liberal Democrat Party 2.2.5Ideas & Policies of UK Parties 2.2.6End of Topic Test - Established Parties 2.2.7Application Questions - Established Parties

2.3

Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1Minority Parties 2.3.2Minority Parties Case Studies 2.3.3End of Topic Test - Minor Parties

2.4

UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1Different Party Systems 2.4.2Political Spectrum 2.4.3Factors Affecting Party Success 2.4.4End of Topic Test - Parties in Context 2.4.5Application Questions - Parties in Context

3

Electoral Systems

3.1

Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1FPTP & STV 3.1.2AMS & SV 3.1.3End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems 3.1.4Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems

3.2

Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1Case For & Against Referendums 3.2.2End of Topic Test - Referendums 3.2.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums

3.3

Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1Electoral System Analysis 3.3.2End of Topic Test - System Analysis 3.3.3A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis

4

Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1

General Election Case Studies

4.1.1Case Studies of Elections 4.1.2Factors Influencing Voting in Elections 4.1.3End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors 4.1.4A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting

4.2

Media Influence

4.2.1Media Influence 4.2.2End of Topic Test - Media Influence

5

Conservatism

5.1

Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1Pragmatism & Tradition 5.1.2Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State 5.1.3Authority & Hierarchy 5.1.4Paternalism 5.1.5Empiricism 5.1.6Anti-Permissiveness 5.1.7Radical Conservative Ideas 5.1.8End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism

5.2

Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1Traditional Conservatism 5.2.2One-Nation Conservatism 5.2.3New Right Conservatism 5.2.4End of Topic Test - Different Views

5.3

Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke 5.3.2Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand