The next type of a democratic system is, as described in most political science dictionaries, the one where a small group of wealthy, highly educated and more privileged men are able to govern a state. The logic behind this system is that the common individual could not properly express an opinion. People were just uneducated or only had little knowledge to understand politics and other more complicated arguments. In this type of government the involvement of people is limited since individuals cannot exercise pressure or be frequently involved in issues. Elitist democracy is a type of democracy, whereas I have stated in the introduction that if government is open and people are involved is considered to be so, and if people have the skills and political knowledge can take part in this system. Also the fact that this group’s acts are based on public preference. This can be a feature of Britain’s democracy since there aren’t any low-class, uneducated and non-aware of politics people in the governing body.
In modern society it is morally wrong to exclude different beliefs of individuals in a democratic system. Religion, other forms of political ideas, background, sex and sexual preference of a person should not be viewed as revolutionary tendencies when referring to politics. So therefore most governments are pluralist. In a pluralist democracy various parties express different opinions that come from people. Although there wasn’t a majority of such parties throughout the years but some other groups, called pressure groups, have played and still play an important role in modern democracy. These groups are present in order to illustrate the significance of various matters. Some pressure groups are important enough that have a direct relation with the government. In the UK, the Friends of the Earth and the Woodland Trust are pressure groups where more people join instead of major political parties.
Lastly, a form of democracy that would suit more or less the British one is the form which is described as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. Liberal democracy is one of what people seem to consider as fair. The government is freely and fairly elected ensuring justice in the future system. People give their consent in forming the government therefore having a government of the people. In such a system people participate in debates on different matters and therefore being in part of decisions. By this an individual becomes aware and active in politics. Different parties represent people of the state as a result of the government serving the people’s desires and needs, and being a government for the people. A liberal is the one that respects the freedom of others, the ideas of others and supports equal rights and a fair democratic government.
In my opinion Britain’s democratic system is a combination of several forms of democracy, such as the types described above. Since there is a monarch involved, even with limited powers, and a House of Lords, which used to be advisors appointed in order to advise the monarch. This House is not elected therefore not representing the people. The lords can make law proposals which are aimed to become laws and passed as legislation. And here we can see facts of Tory democracy and also the representative party of this form, the Conservative party. On the other hand there is the liberal concept in Britain and the liberals. In general elections people vote for their party and the most seats in the House of Commons are held by the winning party. Since the House of Commons is elected then it means that it represents the people’s interests. People cannot have conflicts with the House of Commons due to the responsibility they had when they elected it. Further on, we can see that in the governing body and most parties there aren’t any individuals other than wealthy, highly educated and with knowledge in politics persons. So this can be elitism leaving a trail on Britain’s democracy. Continuing with the analysis, we can see different aspects and beliefs of people expressed by means like pressure groups, therefore having a pluralistic concept in Britain’s democracy. But of course there are also reliable parties that can represent people.
Another significant point, which is worth to refer to is the British constitution. Britain has an unwritten constitution, meaning that it is not laid down in one single document. It comes from various sources, such as Constitutional documents, the European Union Law, Conventions that remained part of the rule, Constitutional experts and Major Statues. By this it is not difficult to change laws and this actually is done by a simple legislative process. This is important to mention since this type of constitution is found only in the UK and Israel, but also because sovereignty and unlimited legal authority is found in Parliament.
Seeking for more of Britain’s main features in democracy, we are found to stand in a society where parties are elected by people, to govern them. Elections are a main feature of any democratic state. Governments have a certain period of governing time and after that period of time people are asked again to vote for their government. In Britain, though, this is not what exactly happens. What happens is that after that period of time is over, people elect a party to represent them, which is not at all a government. The leader of that party then is asked by the Queen to choose the government, which actually consists of members of that party. The government though, is not just the party but also the second winning party which is just there to check upon the government.
In Britain there is a rare electoral system, called the First Past the Post. There are 659 seats in parliament and 659 constituencies, where in each constituency there is one Member of Parliament chosen by people. This system is also recognized as “simple majority in single member constituencies”, meaning that the most seats (constituencies) won by a certain party, wins the elections and can proceed with the formation of government. In order for people to go in favour they must have a motive. This motive is known as the affective manifesto of the party in the elections. This manifesto states what is programmed to be done if that party is in control. Therefore people go after what is mostly for their benefit. During elections the acceptance of a manifesto is shown when a party receives the most votes. This consent of the people on that policy is called a mandate.
The uniqueness of Britain’s government is that it is separated in three branches, the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. Most power seems to come from the Parliament due to the fact that people confuse it, when referring to powers, but actually executive refers to the government which higher in power. It is just that in Britain, parliament, executive and judiciary used to be fused, meaning that they had some kind of link. In that way there wasn’t much judgement in carrying out decisions and arguments. During the past years adjustments have been taking place in order to balance out these three branches of government. Therefore achieving a separation of powers and now having a more fair system. Also in the past years, Britain being a member of European Union has been more stable and fair, in terms of democracy, since its government is being observed by European Court, all this concerning the British – European relations.
As in all cases of democratic states, where people are active and are aware of what is going on in their country, Britain does have a rule under democratic concepts. These are main features of Britain’s government. These make up what British call democracy, in other democratic communities, though, some things aren’t the same but still carry out that same idea, the rule of the people. There are alterations in the system, in comparison with other democratic states. Nevertheless the British democratic system, even being a combination of more than one forms does have a stable behaviour to its people. Also the history that previously conquered this country, still keeps some of its trails. As I have stated above these are what make up but also make Britain’s democracy vary from other states. The British democratic system is a special one due to the fact that it has been changing throughout the times and concluding to what is it is today with these main features.