...INTO ELECTIONS AND SOCIAL TRENDS Working Paper Number 106 June 2004 Is Britain Facing a Crisis of Democracy? By Catherine Bromley, John Curtice and Ben Seyd The Centre for Research into Elections and Social Trends is an ESRC Research Centre based jointly at the National Centre for Social Research (formerly SCPR) and the Department of Sociology, University of Oxford http://www.crest.ox.ac.uk Is Britain Facing a Crisis of Democracy? by Catherine Bromley, John Curtice and Ben Seyd EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Britain is widely believed to be suffering a crisis of democracy. This briefing examines whether this perception is justified or not. Our findings - which are based on a four year research project funded by the ESRC - address four key issues: the legitimacy of governments, patterns of participation in politics, the impact of constitutional reform, and the explanation for any crisis. Legitimacy There has been a decline in levels of trust in government and confidence in the political system. Thirty years ago, four in ten people in Britain trusted government to put the needs of the nation above those of their political party; today, just one in five do so. But much of this decline set in during the early 1990s, although trust and confidence have fallen further since 1997. Participation Turnout at all elections has declined since 1997, most noticeably at the 2001 general election, when the participation rate was the lowest since 1918. At the same time, levels of...
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...Constitution, as well as the power of democracy. John Adams did indeed become President of the United States as well. I consider him one of the political American heroes, because without him, perhaps our limited government would not be what it is today. During the late 17th century, there will still societies being ruled by a King, and the notion of a constitutional government was non-existent. Colonists in the United States did not feel content in paying taxes to their British allies. I believe the colonists did not find it common sense to be paying taxes to Britain who was several thousand miles away. I do not know how the process of paying such taxes was imposed during that time, but it must have been a very complex and time consuming issue. They could not wire their taxes electronically like we do in the 21st century. Their fastest method of traveling...
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...Prompt: To what extent did the goals of American foreign policy change in the years 1930-1941? For what reasons did these goals change? The 1930s were a difficult time for most Americans. Faced with colossal economic hardships—unprecedented in American history—many Americans turned inward to focus on the worsening situation at home. The United States became increasingly insensitive to the obliteration of fellow democracies at the hands of brutal fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. The U.S. was determined to stay out of war at all costs—even if its allies were in trouble; Americans believed that they were immune from Europe’s problems as long as they refused to get involved. However, as the “free” countries fell, one by one, to the Nazi war machine, Americans began to realize the folly of their foolish optimism and clamored for increasing involvement in foreign affairs. American foreign policy changed in the years 1930-1941 as Americans realized that fascism would likely conquer all of Europe unless Americans acted quickly. Ultimately, it was fear of the fascist threat to American democracy that triggered the end of American isolationism and inaugurated the era of American interventionism. World War I had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Americans; many believed that the U.S. had been tricked into joining the war for the wrong reasons, and they were determined to avoid making the same mistake twice. After the Great War, Americans were disappointed to realize that...
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...How far could Britain Be described as a democratic country by 1911? Lisa Wilson A democracy should allow people to vote freely in order to influence the decisions of their government and enables citizens to voice their opinions by electing a party that represents their views. In the 1850’s the franchise was restricted to upper class male landowners who had the choice between two parties, the Conservatives and the Liberals. Industrial cities were poorly represented and corruption commonplace. However, the Industrial revolution changed the social and economic structure in Britain, where the emerging middle classes were demanding political reform. Throughout the late 19th century a number of acts were passed that ensured Britain were well on their way to becoming fully democratic. The extension of the franchise in Britain was a significant factor in securing democratic status. The Second Reform Act of 1867, known as the “Great leap in the dark” doubled the British electorate and gave one in three men living in towns the vote if they were property owners or paid an annual rent of over £10. This was a step towards democracy however, although a greater number of men were now liable to vote the electorate system was still dominated by middle classes and voting remained open to bribery and corruption. The 1884 Reform Act proposed further parliamentary reform, allowing working class men living in the countryside the same voting rights as those in towns; thus ensuring the electorate...
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...Abstract The problem to be investigated is the role of corporation in society and its ethical influence on social responsibility. There have been arguments that capitalism and corporations are responsible for economic ills of the society. It is therefore necessary to understand the role of corporation and ethical influence if any. In other to address the problem stated above it is necessary to define what capitalism and corporation are, and give background insight through meaningful literature reviews. According to dictionary.com capitalism is an economic system in which investments, ownership and means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is driven and maintained mainly by private individuals or corporations, in contrast to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth. A corporation on the other hand is a business organization created by its owners known as stockholders under authority of the law to exist continuously independent of its members; powers and liabilities (limited liability) separated from those of its members.(American Heritage Dictionary). The answer to the problem stated above may be embedded in the "not a cold mete or fallen from the sky" statement of Dr. Novak (Jennings, 2012, p.108). Role of Corporation In Society The problem to be investigated is the role of corporation in society and its ethical influence on social responsibility. There have been arguments that capitalism and corporations are responsible for economic ills of the...
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...The Dangers of Citizen Apathy Democracy is a system of government that relies on citizens being involved in and educated about the actions of the government so that they can vote for representatives who accurately reflect the will of the people. The power ultimately resides within the citizens, however, what happens when the people become politically apathetic? Being politically apathetic means to be indifferent towards political activity. It results in the lack of engagement in discussion, absence of civic responsibility and the failure to be educated about government action. In the source, the perspective provided is one that, in terms of public welfare, believes an authoritarian government is less dangerous than the indifference of citizens...
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...became increasingly insensitive to the obliteration of fellow democracies at the hands of brutal fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. The U.S. was determined to stay out of war at all costs—even if its allies were in trouble; Americans believed that they were immune from Europe’s problems as long as they refused to get involved. However, as the “free” countries fell, one by one, to the Nazi war machine, Americans began to realize the folly of their foolish optimism and clamored for increasing involvement in foreign affairs. American foreign policy changed in the years 1930-1941 as Americans realized that fascism would likely conquer all of Europe unless Americans acted quickly. Ultimately, it was fear of the fascist threat to American democracy that triggered the end of American isolationism and inaugurated the era of American interventionism. World War I had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Americans; many believed that the U.S. had been tricked into joining the war for the wrong reasons, and they were determined to avoid making the same mistake twice. After the Great War, Americans were disappointed to realize that the war was fought for null; World War I was not the “War to End Wars” as advertised by the government propaganda. The disappointment of being “suckered” into the Great War helped motivate Americans to adopt a largely isolationist policy during the 1930s. The situation was worsened when Britain and France defaulted on their loans from the U.S. after they...
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...The French Revolution, which took place at the end of the 18th century, was perhaps the most significant revolution in history to date. Not only did it have an enormous impact on politics and social order within France but also across the European continent which was, at that period in history, the fulcrum of civilisation and modernity. A bitter dispute ensued about the French principles of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’. This essay intends to focus on the impact that the Revolution had on Britain at that time and we will reflect on the influence that literary writings had upon shaping Britain’s views of the revolution and its espoused ideals, and in turn the consequences that they would have on British society into the 19th century. Leading up to the beginning of the French Revolution political and social unrest was spreading in Britain. The country was divided on one argument: the rights of man. On one side of the argument were the radicals who strongly supported a new form of government, that of elective democracy. This group were countered by the loyalists who adamantly opposed such drastic changes and remained allegiant to the church and the monarchy. Loyalists vehemently opposed what they saw as the threat against traditional British values. The radicals were part of a post-enlightenment movement that believed citizenship and its right derived from natural human rights such as that of all men being allowed to take part in politic regardless of their status or background...
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...Advantages of Direct Democracy The British system of representative government based on parliamentary democracy is limited in the extent that elections are held only every four or five years. Using direct democracy via a system of referendums would reduce this democratic deficit. For example, Since 1997 Labour held referendums in each of their first two terms and we could say that the deficit has been reduced. - Direct democracy bring government closer to the people at a time when faith in politicians is falling and decision making has become too distant, reducing democracy to an abstract. Voter turnout during referendums is high when the vote is precipitated by a long and sustained debate about the issue, thus showing that the electorate is keen to engage in the political process when it is felt that their vote matters. For example, 81% voted in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement. - Direct democracy can be seen as important ways to confer legitimacy upon policy plans, especially if they involve major constitutional change or the introduction of novel ideas. For Example If Britain were to go into war, a direct consultation with the people would be a far more legitimate means of making the decision than a vote in Parliament where a majority of the MPs represent a party that most of the public did not vote for. For example Cameron wanting to send air strikes to Syria, he needs to consult the public and the MP’s before he makes his final decision. Advantages of...
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...Is Democracy the best form of government? (25 marks) Democracy is a system of government by where the whole population or all the eligible members of a country are able to vote for who they think would best represent them and their country. Democracy isn’t always the best form of government but when you have it, it usually seems to work best as it provides freedom in every state and country for the people rather than autocratic states or country. Having more freedom allows people to choose and criticize their own government if they are doing a good thing for the people or not doing the right thing for example not taking into account the peoples opinion on whether or not say 16 year olds should be allowed to vote. Also even though the people of the country have the right to vote for their government they also have the extension of thinking what should their nation be like and what the policy of their nation would be. Despite this, even though they are allowed to choose their government there should be no reason to why the people cannot be as free under an autocratic government as in a democratic government. In comparison to that democracy is the best form of democracy as it represents the people of its country, making it the government by the people and with the people and for the people. The government represents the people as it was them who elected that candidate into the parliament due to their manifesto making them legit and not a slave of the people but to represent...
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...as a calling (Murphy, 2008) that generated from the business men who have ethical standards on what they were introducing to society. These ethical standards can be of good or evil. The society has great impact over big corporations. Society can make or break a business depending on the products introduced and how successful it can climb in the market (Jennings, 2012, p. 106). Many businesses grow based on their ethical views and how the market will accept the new product that they are introducing. Yet, some corporations sneak through the cracks and take advantage of the market and create nonexistent products. The problem to be investigated is that capitalism is what makes the corporation succeed in today’s market. United States vs. Britain and Europe There are some fundamental differences that are evident between the corporation in...
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...planning is far from ideal, and which all too often come to grief. As a concept, Dystopia emerges at the end of the long Eighteenth Century, possibly as a result of social upheaval and the long wars. it comes to the fore towards the end of the Nineteenth Century with gloomy forebodings as to the impact of industrialisation. Some go for a mechanical paradise. Others foresee a world order where things have got beyond repair - and that's not just the machines. Jack London in The Iron Heel (1908)sees the collapse of the American republic between 1912 and 1932 with the rise of 'The Oligarchy' (though he also thinks that international worker solidarity will avert a world war in 1913). Dystopia is highly pessimistic in tone. It traces what happens when things go wrong, either in an ideal world which has gone into crisis or decline, or else is a portrayal of of a world where society has collapsed at some time in the past. It is form of writing with a moral - and a warning. The irony is that reality can be stranger than fiction. The finale of The Mission is a case in point. The humanitarian goals of the Jesuit Fathers ironically contained the seeds of destruction for the Missions. The presence not only of rational Indians, but Christianised ones who were highly skilled proved to be too much of a temptation for the bandeirantes, slavers who came across from Brazil and enslaved them all. The Missions, perhaps like Utopia itself, remain enshrined in the history of both the Catholic Church...
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...Their downfall only came when they were overwhelmed by the Spartans in the Peloponnesian war, for concessions, the Spartans took their colonies and set up an oppressive regime. Democracy was set up again in Athens but stagnated until they were conquered by Macedon. Now, Athens was not able to do much with their meritocratic system, due to their circumstances, but it did put the idea of democracy into western culture, springing back up in the enlightenment era. One of those students of the enlightenment was Simon Bolivar, unlike Theseus, Simon really wavered when It came to things such as equality, democracy, and meritocracy, although he is very passionate about these things, he always gives himself too much power and it makes people like him less for it, and unlike theseus, Simon had to make tree journeys to his homeland and back until he learns what he wants for his nation. To give some backstory to what was happening in his life when he was born, the european colonies had started to revolt against their masters, Spanish South America had received a great number of these, and the Spanish had become more and more brutal in quelling every revolt, this was going on at around the time of Simons birth. Simon was born in Caracas to rich parents,...
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...the USSR and communist regime, was a figure known for being shrewd, manipulative and ruthless, instantly suggesting that relations with other countries, so different from his, were to be quite strained. Though he was known for these negative traits, he was also commended for his sense of practicality and his skills as an administrator, this suggesting that perhaps his ability to put aside differences, may be better than necessarily believed. It was common knowledge that Stalin was an autocratic leader, perhaps a dictator to some, and that he was harsh on his country, using heavy censorship, harsh industrialisation and a systematic use of terror, employing his red terror and cheka to silence those against communism with arrests and murder. When it came to Foreign policy, Stalin was highly suspicious of the west, of their intentions, of their political...
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...one mind, concluding, somewhat peremptorily, that democracy "became the civic faith of the United States to which all Americans must unquestionably adhere"” (The American Revolution p. 166) (Book Review). Throughout the book one can...
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