Year 11 - Citizenship
How can we tell if the UK is democratic?
Should the UK be called a democracy?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils consider what makes a democracy, they explore key features of democracy in the UK and consider how those in power are held to account.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what is meant by a democracy and give examples of democratic features seen in the UK.
Key Notes
- There are two main types of democracy: direct and representative. The UK is a representative democracy.
- Key features of democracy incude free and fair elections, multi-party system and protect of human rights.
- First Past The Post is the electoral system used for general elections in the UK.
- Democracy can always be improved, e.g., by increasing voter turnout, reducing apathy and addressing tactical voting.
Vocabulary To Learn
- democracy: a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
- representative democracy: type of democracy where citizens choose others to represent them, making important decisions on their behalf
- First Past The Post: the voting system used in the UK to elect members of some local councils and Members of Parliament, whereby the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Low voter turnout means people are not interested in politics.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
There are two main types of democracy: direct and representative. The UK is a representative democracy. Key features of democracy incude free and fair elections, multi-party system and protect of human rights.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'democracy'
a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Low voter turnout means people are not interested in politics. Correction: Voter apathy might play a part in low voter turnout but other reasons exist, such as feeling votes will not count.
More Lessons In This Unit
- How can I take part in the democratic process? The role of select committees Study Guide
- How can we hold our leaders to account? Study Guide
- How is devolution impacting the UK's democracy? Study Guide
- What is a free press and why is it important for democracy? Study Guide
- What is Parliament and what are its functions? Study Guide
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