The United Kingdom has always been regarded as a home of modern democracy. Parliamentary traditions and legal systems have influenced the political systems of many countries across the globe. It does often lead to controversy when one term is mentioned, and that is ‘elective dictatorship.’ A variety of academics and political critics argued that the system of government in Britain amassed too much power to the winning party. Other political theorists would argue the opposite – that a key aspect of democracy is maintained and is found in Britain.
The article will exhibit an unambiguous and simplistic view on the question: does Britain have an elective dictatorship or a democracy?
What is meant by Elective Dictatorship?
The term “elective dictatorship” was made famous by Lord Hailsham back in the 1970s. It is a description of a political system whereby, once a political party wins a general election, it has almost total control of Parliament. Politically that is usually because the winning party gains a majority in the House of Commons. This control means that the prime minister and government can push through legislation with little or no opposition. Critics of this sort of system believe that it limits checks and balances, leading to the perception of decreased democracy.
How Britain’s Democracy Works
Britain, as a parliamentary democracy, allows citizens to vote for their own Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent them in the House of Commons. The party that commands the most seats usually forms the government and appoints its leader as the prime minister. There are other important systemic features of parliamentary democracy in the UK:
- House of Lords: The Chamber of Lords reviews legislation and can delay a bill but cannot stop it from becoming law.
- The monarch represents the ceremonial functions of the state and does not interfere in politics.
- General Elections: These must be held every five years at least so citizens have the opportunity to vote again.
In principle, these structures guarantee a deal of integrity and accountability. Practically speaking, there are questions about whether power is too concentrated in one party.
Why Some Call It an Elective Dictatorship
There are several reasons given by critics why Britain is viewed as an elective dictatorship.
1. Strong Party Majority: Once a party has been elected as a majority party, it is able to control the direction of government. MPs from the party in power are generally loyal to their leader, and they are loyal to their party. There is limited opportunity for data input from the opposition parties.
2. The Lords Do Not Offer Enough Checks: The Lords act as a check on the government by reviewing legislation and offering amendments but do not have the ability to stop the government from passing laws. They lack a foundational role as a safeguard.
3. Power of the Prime Minister: The prime minister often possesses considerable power over policy, appointments, and the direction of government and, with a majority, to effect significant decisions rapidly.
4. Weak separation of powers: Different countries follow a variety of separations of powers. Unlike the United States, Britain does not strictly separate its executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, giving government more of a direct impact.
Arguments for Britain as a Real Democracy
Despite such arguments, researchers, advocates, and activists still argue that Britain is a real democracy. They highlight the following:
1. Free and Fair Elections: Citizens have the right to vote in a general election. Governments change when the people choose a different party.
2. Rule of Law: Britain is bound by a legal system and accountability that protects rights and freedoms. The courts are able to review governmental action and ensure they follow the law.
3. Parliamentary accountability: The Prime Minister and Government have to answer questions in Parliament. This includes sessions every week, such as Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), through which members of Parliament are able to hold leaders accountable.
The Role of the Opposition
An important component of democracy in Britain is the opposition, with the largest opposition party forming a shadow government that is a direct challenger to the party of government. Smaller parties have different perspectives, too.
When the party of government has a substantial majority and power, opposition parties have limited ability to restrict any decisions taken by the government. This leads to the argument, “There is a leaning towards an elective dictatorship.”
Does the electoral system contribute to the issue of elective dictatorship?
Britain uses a First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system. Each constituency adopts the policy of using the most votes, and winners gain an individual seat in Parliament so that the system is relatively straightforward. First Past the Post rests on the interpretation that the vote transfer is in some way fair. For example:
- It can allow parties that win an overall majority of seats not to have won a majority of total votes cast.
- It severely limits smaller parties from gaining representation, despite having a national vote of support.
- It tends to favor large parties, and consequently, it increases the chances of a one-party hegemony in Parliament.
Democratic reforms that could strengthen democracy
A number of professionals have suggested reforms that could reduce the risk of elective dictatorship in Britain, including:
1. Electoral Reform: It is suggested that the introduction of proportional representation could create a more representative Parliament based on the overall vote share of citizens.
2. Stronger Role for the House of Lords: Giving the Lords greater power to check legislation could weaken the overall government dictatorship.
3. Fixed Term Limits for Prime Ministers: By establishing the time in which a prime minister could act, you could limit their overall concentration of power.
Why does this debate matter?
The issue is not just an important academic question between elective dictatorship or true democracy, but one with real implications for our citizens. If the government has unlimited power, they can make laws that are implemented in daily life with a lack of democratic debate or consultation. This is not always such a bad thing. A government with strong powers can make critical decisions and act quickly in times of need. For instance, during economic and health crises, decisions may need to be made quickly. What we need to consider is how we can strike the right balance between capable leadership and democratic accountability.
Elective Dictatorship or True Democracy?
Does Britain have an elective dictatorship or a true democracy? It is a little of both. The United Kingdom continues to function as a democratic country with elections, a rule of law, and accountability. However, it suffers from majoritarian rule whereby power is concentrated in the hands of majority governments and, in particular, the prime minister, making it susceptible to what Lord Hailsham termed an elective dictatorship.
This debate continues as ordinary citizens, politicians, and academics seek to reform democracy and create democratic safeguards. To conclude, Britain’s democracy is not perfect, but so long as it remains flexible, it can continue to adjust and adapt. Whether democracy shifts more into an elective dictatorship or remains a functional democracy will depend on future reforms, active citizenship, and accountability.
