To What Extent Is Britain a Democracy - 3466 Words

It can be argued that Britain is both democratic and undemocratic; this can be shown via a range of issues relating to British politics and the society in which we live. Democracy is a form of government in which supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system. It states that all citizens have equal access to power and that all people enjoy the right to universally recognised freedoms. It is also the freedom of expression, speech and other civil liberties. The selection of Prime Minister remains undemocratic in the UK. Although society has the power to vote for a political party to govern the country in a general election, citizens cannot choose their Prime Minister. The leader of each party is elected by†¦show more content†¦Conservatives won 32% of the vote (came a close second) would then be awarded 32% of seats. In the previous electoral system, conservatives would be left with nothing and the views supported by 32% of voters would be ignored. Proportional representation allows smaller, less popular parties to gain a few seats in parliament which would allow their opinions to be represented, rather than ignored as they are in the current system. This mixed government would create a coalition. Parties would have to work together in order to reach agreement and decision, this could be a timely process and cause heated debate, resulting in a weaker, less productive government. For this reason, many believe that a simple majority rules system is more manageable and suitable for British politics although sometimes undemocratic. Voting age is currently restricted at 18. Once a British resident has reached this age they are eligible to vote in local, general and European elections. It is thought that at this age a person has reached a stable maturity and has an educated view about politics. Many believe that the age should be lowered to 16. There are criticisms and supporting statements to this idea that are being discussed nationwide. Many believe it is not fair that under the age of 18 you can legally; get married, have a child, and drive. A majority of the UK population areShow MoreRelatedâ€Å"A written constitution, rather than gradual reform, is now essential for the UK to claim to be a modern democracy.†1246 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"A written constitution, rather than gradual reform, is now essential for the UK to claim to be a modern democracy.† This essay will look at how a written constitution, according to some, would make Britain a modern democracy and it is therefore essential that the meaning of this phrase is fully understood before it can be explored in sufficient depth. A written constitution would outline the structures and powers of government in broad terms and the relationship betweenRead MoreTaxation W/O Representation803 Words   |  4 Pagesindependence and separation from Britain once taxation without representation was imposed on them. The colonies struggled to earn their representation in the Parliament of their mother country. They were turned down repeatedly and this caused huge issues for the colonists; it was the complete reason for the Revolutionary War. Therefore, the demand for no taxation without representation was the primary force to motivate America against Britain and it was also a symbol for democracy. A primary cause is theRead MoreThe Formation Of Social Policy1658 Words   |  7 Pagestools in shaping people’s perceptions on political ideologies, and therefore will be evaluating the extent it plays on policies as well as social conscience. The United Kingdom has two main political parties, the Conservative party and the Labour party. Although the political system in the UK has always been a multiparty system, ultimately it is either of these parties which shape policies in Britain. They have several differences on many key issues and principles. On the political spectrum, the labourRead MoreIs Electoral Participation Necessary For Political Participation?1538 Words   |  7 PagesDemocracy is the rule of the people, therefore, for it to be at its full potential, citizens must participate in the decision-making process. However, for a large part of the public, political participation does not go beyond electoral participation. Nonetheless, even the most common form of political engagement, namely voting, is in decline (Whiteley, 2012, pp.37-38). Although electoral participation is not the ultimate measure of political participation, it is one of the most significant and easiestRead MoreEssay: to What Extent Was Japan M odernized by 1920s?1024 Words   |  5 PagesEssay: To what extent was Japan modernized by 1920s? Modernization is a process by which human beings progress in political, economic, social, intellectual and military aspects for the betterment of society as a whole. In the early 20th century, Japan achieved different levels of modernization in political, social, economic and cultural aspects. Although Japan still kept many traditional beliefs, it was the most modernized country in Asia at that time. Here, I will evaluate to what extent was JapanRead MoreTo What Extent Was Germany a Parliamentary Democracy? Essay1163 Words   |  5 PagesTo what extent was Germany a parliamentary democracy in the years 1900-1914? A parliamentary democracy is the power in Germany being shared amongst everybody. The positions are democratically elected by the population of the country. The way Germany was run is based upon the Constitution the power lies between the Reichstag, the chancellor and the Kaiser. Germany was a parliamentary democracy based on the constitution that Germany was run by. The Bundesrat being part of the constitution consistedRead MoreIs Islam a Religion of Peace?1879 Words   |  7 Pagesimplied that Islam, as a religion, is opposed to warfare, extremism and terrorist activities. On the contrary, in the realm of political science, democracy is the system of government that is set up on a high pedestal. Democracy is not only portrayed as inherently virtuous, but is also a system that ensures peace and harmony in any region. Both democracy and Islam thus claim the right to peace, however, the fact that Muslim majority countries often adopt a non-democratic system of government createsRead MoreThe Effects of Political Parties on a Democracy Essay examples841 Words   |  4 PagesThe Effects of Political Parties on a Democracy There are indeed several aspects in the composition of political parties that threaten democracy in the UK, whilst other aspects may promote democracy. Careful analysis must be done in order to establish to what extent either is true. On the one hand, it may be argued that parties in fact promote democracy for a variety of reasons. Firstly, they assist the electorate by offering them a coherent choice, allowing peopleRead MorePolitical And Economic Impacts Of The British Voters985 Words   |  4 PagesThe British voters have spoken on the June 23 referendum that they want their country out of the European Union. The leave side has prevailed with 52 percent voters supporting Brexit, or Britain s exit, while the remain side getting 48 percent. Some of the political and economic impacts have been already felt in the United Kingdom and registered in Europe and across the world. The others will come as political and economic uncertainties continue. In the United Kingdom, the Conservative Prime MinisterRead MoreHistory Essay Spanish Civil War941 Words   |  4 PagesWhat were the key effects of the Spanish Civil War? Spanish Civil War was war which lasted from 1936 to 1939. For the Spanish it was â€Å"total† war, because whole available arms, weapons, economy and other sectors of country were included in this war. But the Spanish Civil War was â€Å"limited† war for foreign powers, since they hadn’t been directly included into the conflict. In this war the new technology was very significant, especially dominance of the airpower. Control of the sea was very important