2. Definition of power
• Power is “the ability of A to get B to do
something B would otherwise not do.”
• If A was the Government…
• … and B was the people…
• then A could get B to pay taxes, obey laws, etc.
• Power is one of the most important concepts in
politics
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
3. But power corrupts !
• Lord Acton once said that …” “… all power
corrupts”
• There are several examples of elected politicians
who have acted in a corrupt manner
• He also said that “absolute power corrupts
absolutely.” For example in a dictatorship such as
Turkmenistan the ruler acts in a corrupt way
• To quote the Oracle in the Matrix Reloaded …
• … “Q : What do people with power want?”
• …A : More power !”
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
4. What about power in the UK?
• In the UK, the power of elected politicians is
limited
• This prevents powerful politicians acting in a
corrupt way
• The power of the Prime Minister is therefore
limited by the laws of the UK, the fact that he
cannot continue in power if his party loses a
General Election, etc.
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
5. What is authority?
• “the right of some person (such as the Prime
Minister) or institution (such as the Government)
to make political decisions.”
• Authority is usually based on legitimacy
• In a democracy, legitimacy comes from … the
people
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
7. Definition of democracy
• “A system of rule based upon government of the
people, by the people and for the people”
• Of the people – elected politicians pass laws that
the people obey
• By the people – everyone, regardless of race,
gender, etc; should be allowed to stand for election
• For the people – elected politicians should govern
on behalf of the people
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
8. History of democracy
• Origins in Ancient Greece 5th Century BC. The
word democracy derives from demos (meaning
people) and kratia (meaning power)
• Therefore, democracy = people power
• In practise the ‘people’ has meant different things
at different times. Today, it means every adult
registered to vote
• As population size grew, direct democracy was
gradually replaced by representative democracy
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
9. Democracy was not always considered a
good thing
• The Ancient Greek philosopher Plato once warned
that “people would be swayed emotionally,
rather than thinking rationally”
• He also said “the masses were unwise”
• Aristotle feared that politicians would use power to
pursue their own selfish interests
• Today, most people accept that democracy is the
best form of government, despite certain
drawbacks
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
10. What is the difference between a delegate,
and a representative ?
• The people appoint • The people elect
delegates to act on their representatives to
behalf represent them
• This is a form of direct • Electing representatives is
democracy a form of indirect
• In Ancient Greece, democracy
delegates were appointed • There are other forms of
at random indirect democracy; such
as liberal democracy and
participatory democracy
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
11. What’s the difference between direct and
representative democracy?
• Direct democracy exists • Representative
“where the will of the democracy is “a form of
people is translated into indirect democracy in
public policy directly by which elected politicians
the people” act on behalf of the
• Examples include people through a system
referendums and town hall of regular and periodic
meetings in New England elections which enable
politicians to be removed
from office and made
accountable”
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
12. Representative democracy
• In a representative democracy an MP should act according
to his / her conscience
• This view was first put forward by the Conservative theorist
Edmund Burke – that is why it is known as the Burkean
notion
• The winning party gains legitimacy from the people, and
claims a mandate to enact its’ manifesto
• Representative democracy is the most common form of
democracy, and is the most effective
• The liberal philosopher John Stuart Mill once described
representative democracy as the “ideal type”
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
13. Accountability
• A representative is answerable (or accountable) to
the people (see www.TheyWorkForYou.com).
Accountability can take many forms
• The voters can “kick the rascals out” at election
time (a quote from Edmund Burke)
• The media can scrutinise their actions
• The people can ask questions during MPs
surgeries, local meetings, school visits, etc.
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
14. What is direct democracy?
• Athenian model
• Government by
the people
DIRECT DEMOCRACY
• Purest form of democracy
• The views of the people are directly translated into policy
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
15. What are the problems with direct
democracy ?
• The people may not understand complex
questions (e.g. California 1978 Proposition 13)
• The majority might discriminate against the
minority
• Impractical
• Costly in terms of time and money
• People can be swayed emotionally, rather than
thinking rationally (Plato’s view)
• May result in public apathy
• Could also result in political instability
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
16. Arguments FOR representative democracy
• Its more practical, and less time-consuming, than
direct democracy
• Politicians act in a more rational way than the
demos (or people)
• Ensures some degree of public participation (e.g.
via voting, joining a pressure group)
• Representatives are always held to account by the
people
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
17. Arguments AGAINST representative
democracy
• Irregular participation (in the case of a General Election,
once every four / five years)
• Politicians can become out of touch with ordinary people
• The people can become bored with the electoral process,
and politicians therefore end up speaking to “empty
galleries”
• Women and ethnic minorities are often under-represented
• The government tends to ignore its mandate
• Sometimes the voting system is unfair
• Representatives often ignore public opinion
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
18. What is liberal democracy?
LIBERAL
DEMOCRACY
LIBERAL
Basic DEMOCRACY
freedoms Free and fair elections
enjoyed by all, in which two or more
such as parties compete
freedom of speech
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
19. Definition of liberal democracy
• “Liberal democracy joins together 2 sets of
principles
• Liberal freedoms such as freedom of worship
• With a democratic means for deciding upon who
will form the Government. The democratic method
involves competitive elections, in which almost all
adults are allowed to vote.”
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
20. How does liberal democracy operate?
• Liberal democracy is based upon the consent of…
the people. This ensures that politicians are held to
account
• In a liberal democracy the power of politicians and
government is limited
• There are 8 features of a liberal democracy. Can
you name them? Answers on the next slide
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
21. The 8 features of a liberal democracy
• Free and fair elections
• Elected representatives and the government
should be held to account by the people
• Competitive elections
• Civil liberties must be protected
• A variety of beliefs should be tolerated
• There must be a peaceful transition of power
• Rule of law should prevail
• The power of elected representatives and the
government should be limited
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
22. Participatory democracy
• A compromise between direct and representative
democracy (and politics could be described as
“the art of compromise” Aristotle)
• Combines the practicality of representative
democracy, with the theoretical appeal of direct
democracy
• We, the demos (or people), participate in the
democratic system in several ways
• How many can you name?
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
23. How do people participate in the political
process?
• Signing a petition
• Raising / donating money for a political cause
• Wearing a symbol to show support for a cause, such as the
Make Poverty History wristbands
• Writing a letter / sending an Email to an elected
representative
• Voting
• Joining a pressure group
• Joining a political party
• Standing as a candidate for election
• Taking part in a protest march
• Taking direct action. This is usually illegal such as animal
rights groups releasing animals from a laboratory
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
24. Participation today
• Electoral turnout appears to be in long-term
decline. However many people participate via
activities in the community, show support for
various causes and take part in new social
movements
• At the 2001 General Election the electoral turnout
was just 59%, and more young people voted in
Big Brother than in the General Election ! In 2005,
the figure was a little better (61%)
• In local elections most people don’t vote. In 2006,
the turnout was under 40%
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
25. Plural democracy
• A plural democracy exists where “a
variety of beliefs, demands and
interests are permitted to flourish
together”
• A plural democracy such as the UK
and the USA exists where society is
made up of a mass of autonomous
individuals or groups
• In a plural democracy, all citizens
actively participate in the democratic
process
Politics – Introduction to AS Politics
