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UK Politics (the Constitution, ) > Democracy And Participation > Flashcards

Democracy And Participation Flashcards

1
Q

What is a pressure group

A

A membership based associated whose aim is to influence policy making without seeking power

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2
Q

Give an example of when a pressure group decided it wanted to seek power

A

Trade Union movement helped formed Labour Party in early 20C

UKIP formed in 1993

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3
Q

Differences between pressure groups and political parties (4)

A

Parties seek power
Parties are accountable to the electorate
Parties develop policies in all areas of govt
Parties have formal membership and organisation

Opposite for pressure groups

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4
Q

7 main examples of pressure group methods

A 
Lobbying
Public Campaigning
Donations to political parties
Media campaigns
Civil disobedience
Social media / e petitions
Legal action
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5
Q

What is lobbying and give an example

A

Direct contact with important decision makers/ policy makers
May use professional lobbying companies
Persuasion
Large organisations like National Farmers Union (NFU) or Confederation of British Industry (CBI) use lobbying
BMA

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6
Q

What is public campaigning and give an example

A

Large scale demonstrations of support for an issue or group.
To mobilise public opinion
Eg environmental groups/ doctors/ teachers
Stop the war 2003 biggest peaceful protest ever
Donald Trump protest

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7
Q

Are Donations legal and who uses them

A

Yes as long as they are declared

Used by large corporations and trade unions and philanthropic people

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8
Q

Give example of media campaigns by pressure groups

A 
Jamie Oliver sugar tax/ school dinners
Mental Health (Princes William/ Harry)
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9
Q

Give an example of when civil disobedience was used by a pressure group

A

Greenpeace - destroying GM crops
Animal liberation front - attacking animal testing labs
Extinction Rebellion 2019

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10
Q

Give example of pressure groups who have used social media or e petitions

A

Organise local action
Eg BLM
anti airport expansion (3rd runway at Heathrow)
Dignity in Dying - e petition

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11
Q

Examples of pressure groups who have used Legal Action to exert influence

A

LGBT community
Asylum seekers
Women in employment
Assisted Dying campaigners

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12
Q

What have been the main changes to pressure group methods over time and give examples

A 
Online campaigns
Write in campaigns to MP’s
E petitions
Local action / flash demonstrations
Use of human rights act to protect minority interests
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13
Q

How has the action taken taken by pressure groups changed over time

A

Traditional methods evolving into more direct forms of influence

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14
Q

Which individual or body represents the interests of a locality

A

Local council

MP

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15
Q

Which individual or body represents the national interest

A

Both houses of parliament

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16
Q

Which individual or body represents the interests of a particular section of society or issue

A

Pressure group

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17
Q

What is a think tank

A

An organisation set up to develop public policy or to lobby decision makers
Usually staffed by academics
Funding from business groups/ universities/ Trade Unions/ political parties

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18
Q

Give an example of a neutral think tank

A

ResPublica - general policy
Chatham House - international affairs
Centre for Social Justice - welfare
Demos - current political issues

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19
Q

Give an example of a left wing think tank

A

Fabian Society - social justice/ equality

Institute for Public Policy Research - left wing policy

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20
Q

Give an example of a right wing think tank

A

Adam smith institute - free market solutions in economics

Centre for Policy Studies - promoting thatcherism

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21
Q

Give an example of a liberal think tank

A

Liberty - protection of rights and liberties

Reform - welfare, public services

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22
Q

Give an example of an organisation that seeks to mobilise public opinion through the use of mass demonstrations

A

Friends of the Earth
Trade Unions
Stop the War
Pride march

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23
Q

Give an example of an organisation that operates on behalf of business and seeks to influence ministers and parliamentarians directly

A

CBI

IOD (institute of directors)

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24
Q

Give an example of an organisation that tends to use illegal methods or civil disobedience to gain public attention

A

Extinction Rebellion
Greenpeace
Animal liberation front

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25
Q

Give an example of an organisation that has local concerns and typically uses social media to organise protest

A

Anti Fracking

Plane Stupid campaign - anti 3rd runway at heathrow

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26
Q

Give an example of an organisation that uses insider status to represent the interests of a particular section of society

A

National Farmers Union
CBI
BMA

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27
Q

Give 3 reasons why pressure groups enhance democracy

A

They help to disperse power and influence more widely
They educate the public about important political issues
They give people more opportunities to participate in politics without having to sacrifice to much of their time and attention
They can promote and protect the interest and rights of minorities
They help to hold government to account by publicising the effects of policy

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28
Q

Give 3 reasons why pressure groups may threaten democracy

A

Some groups are elitist and tend to concentrate power in the hands of too few people
Influential groups may distort information in their own interests
Those that are internally undemocratic may not accurately represent the views of their members and supporters
Finance is a key factor - the wealthy wield a disproportionate amount of influence

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29
Q

Which descriptions of democracy describes the UK

A

Liberal and representative

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30
Q

How does a pressure group demonstrate that the UK is a representative democracy. Name one

A

Any valid recent campaign (Heathrow - Plane Stupid, dignity in dying)
Mention education, participation or representation

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31
Q

What are the 4 main sources of rights within the uk

A

Common law
Statutes
The human rights act
European Union law (a lot has been/ will be signed into uk law post brexit but not guaranteed)

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32
Q

Where is the european convention on human rights controlled from

A

Council of Europe and its European Court of Human Rights
NOT the European Union
These rights will be retained after brexit

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33
Q

Give an example of statute (parliamentary law) relating to rights

A

Freedom of information act 2000
Equality Act 2010
Same sex marriage Act 2013

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34
Q

What is the freedom of information act 2000

A

Right to access official information

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35
Q

What is the Human Rights Act and when was it passed and give examples

A 
1998
Brought the European Convention on Human Rights into Uk law
Right to family life (article 8)
Freedom of religion (article 9)
Freedom of expression (article 10)
Freedom of assembly (article 11)
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36
Q

Pro and con of common law

A

Pro - strong common law tradition

Con - can be vague and disputed. Can be set aside by parliamentary statute

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37
Q

Assess rights protection considering Human Rights Act 1998

A

Pro - UK is subject to european convention on human rights

Con - parliament is sovereign so can ignore ECRH or repeal Human Rights Act

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38
Q

Assess rights protection considering the judiciary

A

Pro - judiciary has reputation for being independent and upholding rule of law even against govt
Con - increasing pressure of government as a result of international terrorism or to curtail rights in the interests of national security
Right to privacy, right of association and expression all threatened

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39
Q

Give an example of conflict between individual right to freedom of expression and collective rights

A

The rights of religious groups not to have their beliefs satirised or questioned

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40
Q

What is the conflict between individual right to privacy and collective rights

A

The right of the community to be protected from terrorism by security services which may listen in on private communications

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41
Q

What is the conflict between individual right to press freedom and collective rights

A

The right of public figures to keep their private lives private

42
Q

What is the conflict between individual right to demonstrate and cause disruption and collective rights

A

The right of the community to their own freedom of movement

43
Q

What is the conflict between individual right to strike and collective rights

A

The right of the community to expect good service from public servants who are paid from taxation eg doctors/ nurses/ bin men

44
Q

Name a piece of legislation guaranteeing a wide range of rights and liberties and give date

A

Human Rights Act 1998

45
Q

Name a piece of legislation giving citizens access to official documents and information

A

Freedom of information act 2000

46
Q

Name the body which can act as the hightest level of Appel when citizens feel their rights have been ignored or abused

A

Supreme Court created 2005

47
Q

Name a historical phenomenon stretching back centuries that guarantees anciently held rights

A

Common law

48
Q

Name a piece of legislation outlawing discrimination against women and minorities

A

Equality Act 2010

49
Q

What is a sectional pressure group

A

Organisation that campaigns for their member’s interests (ie their section) eg RMT union

50
Q

What is a causal pressure group

A

Promote causes or values

51
Q

Name 3 ways that political parties and pressure groups differ

A

Pressure groups aim to influence power but political parties seek power
Pressure groups single issue but pol parties interested in broad range
Pressure groups have diverse memberships but pol parties ideologically similar
Pressure groups do not have to be internally democratic but pol parties do
Pressure groups do not contest elections with a view to winning but parties do

52
Q

Explain 4 reasons why people might join a pressure group

A

Material benefits such as entry to an event or vehicle recovery (eg AA or National Trust
Protection eg protection of workers rights offered by TUs
Employment such as a trade association (IOD)
Personal beliefs eg Greenpeace

53
Q

What is the main reason why a pressure group succeeds

A

Ability to persuade those in power to accept their demands

54
Q

Why do some pressure groups succeed

A

Celebrity endorsement could help a pressure group succeed by attracting media attention which raises the groups profile
Insider status - Gordon Brown (rubbish PM
Wealth - Bill Gates
Large membership - National Trust
Organisational skills
Expertise
Celebrity endorsement
A popular celebrity may bring public support to the cause and increase pressure on politicians
Eg Jamie Oliver school meals & sugar tax

55
Q

Why do some pressure groups fail

A

Govt support for a policy
Govt can resist pressure
Countervailing forces (for every cause there is likely to be one campaigning for the opposite
Against popular opinion
Alienating the public (illegal action or strikes)

56
Q

4 examples of times that pressure groups failed to achieve their aims

A

BMA failing to prevent govt from changing NHS to 7 day a week system
RMT failing to prevent closure of ticket offices
Stop the War failing to prevent invasion of Iraq
Britain Stronger in Europe failing to keep UK in the EU

57
Q

What is the difference between a pressure group having limited success and failing

A

When it has limited success it has achieved some of its goals but not in the way or as far as it might have hoped for
If a pressure group fails it means demands have been rejected definitively

58
Q

Assess 3 reasons why pressure groups fail

A

Govt is committed to the action or policy that the pressure group opposes particularly if it is in the manifesto
There is a strong countervailing group
The pressure group lacks resources to alter public opinion
The group alienates public opinion through its actions

59
Q

Distinguish between civil rights and civil liberties

A

Civil rights are protected by the government

Civil liberties are protections from the government

60
Q

Identify 3 key features of human rights

A

Human rights are inalienable and all citizens have them
Human rights can not be removed
Human rights are protected in law
They are mostly protections from the government
They are individual rather than social

61
Q

Outline why rights are important in a democracy

A

Rights are important because they ensure legal protections from the government
They enable people to comment on government actions and develop free political discourse
They help promote fundamental equality

62
Q

Define positive rights and negative rights

A

Positive rights are Ones that clearly enshrined in law

Negative right is something that has not been expressly forbidden by law

63
Q

Name a civil right

A

Right to life (govt must ensure a safe society)
Right to vote freely
Right to family life (used in asylum cases)

64
Q

Why have conflicts between the judiciary and govt increased since 1997

A

Introduction of the human rights act
Increasingly independent judiciary
The rise of major issues where individual rights may conflict with social rights eg prevention of terrorism

65
Q

Which 5 areas have seen the most conflict over rights

A 
Anti terror legislation
Deportation
Detention
Free speech and protest
Anti social behaviour
66
Q

Give 3 reasons why judges are better at defending rights than parliament

A

Exercise the rule of law
Have the power of judicial review
Judicial independence
Judicial neutrality

67
Q

Give 3 reasons why parliament is better at defending rights

A

Parliament hold sovereignty and can create rights and determine how rights should be defended
Parliament is democratic and representative
All rights in the UK are passed by parliament
Parliament can be proactive in advocating rights protection

68
Q

Give 3 reasons why judges are worse at defending rights than parliament

A 
Undemocratic
Unaccountable
Connections to parliament
Judges must adhere to the law passed by parliament
Can not strike down primary legislation 
Judges are unrepresentative
69
Q

Give 3 reasons why parliament is weaker at defending rights than judges

A

Parliament can suspend the Human rights act to achieve its goals
Parliament is usually dominated by the government of the day and is therefore weak at checking it
The HoL is not democratic
MPs are reluctant to support unpopular elements

70
Q

What are the factors influencing the success of pressure groups

A

Insider - eg CBI - often consult with govt and views are often aligned
Social Status - nurses or doctors don’t have money but do have social status and power in society
Celebrity eg Jamie Oliver with school dinners/sugar tax
Wealth - large industries/trade unions
Public support eg NSPCC widespread support so govt tend to be sympathetic
Size eg Age UK represents 12 million pensioners

71
Q

Strengths of pressure groups

A

Enable individuals to participate in politics between elections
Reflect the system of pluralist democracy which gives citizens another voice in the decision making process
Counter balance the tyranny of the majority
Bring expert knowledge to govt attention
Keep govt on their toes - limit govt power
Promote debate, engage and educate the electorate

72
Q

Weaknessess of pressure groups

A

Can be divisive and selfish (strikes by BMA 2012, Fire Brigade 2013, NHS 2014)
V good at stopping things which others feel are needed
Not accountable to public even if influence is large (eg British Banking Association v close to govt which may be why no bankers were severely punished after 2008 crash)
They have reduced the power of parliament by working closely with ministers and civil servants
Make the country difficult to manage - hyper pluralism - govt perplexed by multitude of pressure groups blocking their actions

73
Q

Give example of lobbying firm and something they lobbied for

A

Greensill and Cameron worked together after he left office
Cameron lobbied for greensill to be part of COVID finance facility

CBI (nearly 200K businesses) has backed US/UK trade talks about removing steel tariffs

2012 lobbyists developed “save our shops” campaign to exempt small newsagents from new tobacco laws. Did persuade 80 MPs but ultimately failed and also exposed dangers of lobbying as it was backed by British American Tobacco

74
Q

Give an example of think tank and one of their ideas which was effective

A

Adam Smith institute - behind reduction in top rate of tax from 60 to 40% in 1988
ASI - tax free allowance raised from £6K to £12K in 2008 and this was done by coalition
Ed Balls wrote a Fabian Paper on Bank of England Independence
Fabian Society 2000 Tax Commission influential in raising NIC to raise £8bn for NHS

75
Q

Give an example of when a think tanks idea has not been effective

A

In 2005 ASI campaigned for flat income tax rate of 22% (they still are!)
Electoral Reform society not changed FPTP system
Institute of Economic Affairs is a freemarket think tank. Critical of govt meansures to restrict harmful activities (smoking bans/sugar tax) but lack credibility as one of their major donors is British American Tobacco

76
Q

What is article one of human rights act 1998

A

Protection of Property

77
Q

What is article 2 of human rights act 1998

A

Right to life

78
Q

What is article 3 of human rights act

A

1998

Prohibition of torture

79
Q

What is article 4 of human rights act 1998

A

Prohibition of slavery and forced labour

80
Q

What is article 6 of human rights act

A

Right to a fair trial

81
Q

What is article 7 of human rights act

A

No punishment without the law

82
Q

What is article 8 of the human rights act

A

Right to privacy and family life

83
Q

What is article 9 of the human rights act

A

Freedom of thought and religion

84
Q

What is article 10 of the human rights act

A

Freedom of expression

85
Q

What is article 11 of human rights act

A

Freedom of assembly ad association

86
Q

What is article 12 of the human rights act

A

Right to marry

87
Q

What is article 14 of the human rights act

A

Prohibition of discrimination

88
Q

What does equality act 2010 do

A

Consolidates Race Relations Act (1965) and equal pay act (1970) into one act but with added protections for LGBTQ+ and disabled community

89
Q

When have rights in Uk been suspended

A 
1970s internment (unlimited detention without trial) common in NI
More limited detention without trial allowed post 9/11 for terror suspects using Anti terrorism, crime and security bill
Recently rights such as freedom of movement suspended during Covid
90
Q

Give example of conflict over rights

A

Ashers v Lee 2018
Belfast bakery run by evangelical Christian’s did not have to make a cake with “support gay marriage” on it
Court ruled that article 10 (right to freedom of expression) included not having to express an opinion that one does not hold

Campbell v Mirror Group 2004
2001 the mirror published pictures of Naomi Campbell leaving NA
Law Lords ruled that Campbell right to privacy outweighed the right to freedom of expression

91
Q

Give an example of individual v state collective rights

A

Vintner & others v United Kingdom 2013
Hurst v UK 2005
A & Others v Sec State of Home Department 2004
Othman v UK 2012

92
Q

What was Vinter & others v UK 2013

A

Vintner & others v United Kingdom 2013 ECHR ruled that a life sentence must have the chance for release or review otherwise violated Article 3 (right not to be tortured)
As a response Justice secretary proposed new British Bill of rights to replace HRA to ensure that UK courts and parliament should have final say

93
Q

What was case A & Others v Sec State for the Home Department 2004

A

A & Others v Sec State of Home Department 2004 Law Lords ruled that the Labour policy of indefinite detention of suspected terrorists without charge broke HRA. Home sec released prisoners a year later after passing various laws placing severe restrictions on the suspects inc tagging

94
Q

What was the case Hirst v UK 2005

A

ECHR ruled that a blanket ban on prisoners voting violated article 3 of HRA
This was ignored by parliament

95
Q

What was Othman v UK

A

ECHR ruled that radical cleric Abu Qatada could not be deported as evidence had been obtained using torture
Govt and public v angry about this and later that year he was departed after a new treaty was agreed with Jordon (who promised really nicely and not with their fingers crossed not to torture him)

96
Q

What was S & Marper v UK 2008

A

ECHR ruled that blanket retention of DNA profiles taken from innocent people violated article 8 of HRA - right to private life

97
Q

What is Police Crime, sentencing and Courts Bill 2022

A

This act would heavily affect a persons right to protest (HRA article 11) as it would allow police to set time / noise limits on protests and can be applied to single individual (eg the really annoying Mr Stop Brexit)
Not yet passed as rejected by Lords
Advocacy group Liberty played an important role in stopping bills passage

98
Q

Who or what is liberty

A

Advocacy group based in UK which campaigns to challenge injustice and protect civil liberties and promote human rights

99
Q

Examples of Liberty effective campaigns

A

2007/8 led opposition to govt plans to extend detention without charge for suspected terrorists from 28 to 42 days. Proposal was rejected by Lords and dropped
2012 helped protect Gary Mackinnon from deportation to US after he was charged in 2002 with hacking US govt systems. Theresa May blocked his extradition (he has Asperger’s and crime was committed in UK0
2014 represented Mps David Davies and Tom Watson in legal challenge to data retention and investigatory powers act which allowed retention of emails by govt. Act found to be unlawful by court of appeal in 2018
2020 successfully defended Ed Bridges in a legal challenge to South Wales police use of facial recognition tech in public spaces

100
Q

Examples of liberty’s ineffective campaigns

A

Justice and security bill which allowed secret courts was passed despite best efforts

101
Q

What is the Howard League

A

Penal reform charity that works to provide safer communities and few people in prison

102
Q

Examples of effective campaigns by Howard League

A

Campaigns for reduction in child arrests. Data from 2016 showed a reduction of 59% since 2010

Books for prisoners campaign set up in 2014 to overturn restrictions on sending books to people in prisons. High court ruled that the ban should be overturned

UK Politics (the Constitution, ) (5 decks)

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