Democracy And Participation

Question 1

What is the definition of direct democracy and give one example

Answer 1

All individuals express their own opinions themselves and not through representatives acting on their behalf. And example of this is the 2016 Brexit referendum

Question 2

What is representative democracy and give an example

Answer 2

Where the peoples interest are expressed through elected representatives- an example of this is modern democracy in the UK

Question 3

What are some examples of referendums and why were they held?

Answer 3

North East Assembly in 2004- to test public opinion
EU Referendum in 2016- resolve conflict within a political party
Scottish Independence in 2014- to achieve a political goal

Question 4

What is a consultative democracy and give a form of it

Answer 4

Where people are given the option to vote, but Parliament can easily ignore the results (though they very rarely do). An example of this are referendums

Question 5

What are the features of a referendum?

Answer 5

Can be on a national or regional level
Wording is carefully considered (answer is a yes or no)
Electoral Commission regulates and monitors campaigns so they’re fair
Government is likely to expect outcome and prepare
Parliament is unlikely to ignore result
Ad-hoc (not regular and unscheduled)

Question 6

What are the levels of representation?

Answer 6

Parish, Local, Combined, Metropolitan, Devolved and National

Question 7

What are the three types of pressure groups and give an example?

Answer 7

Causal (or promotional) groups- e.g. local groups- protect local green spaces
Selectional (or interest) groups- e.g. teachers or doctors
Social movements - e.g. BLM

Question 8

What do causal pressure groups do?

Answer 8

They promote a particular cause and push for government action and legislation

Question 9

What do selectional groups do?

Answer 9

Self serving, represent a section of society and pursue their interests. In doing so, the wider society may benefit from

Question 10

What do social movements do?

Answer 10

They’re informal groups- a movement that is visible in society that promote a particular desire

Question 11

What do plane stupid do?

Answer 11

It’s a causal pressure groups and that campaigns against aviation expansion

Question 12

What do the national union of teachers do?

Answer 12

It’s a selectional group that campaign for improved teachers’ pay and conditions and to improve state education

Question 13

What does the campaign for nuclear disarmament do?

Answer 13

It’s a causal pressure group that campaigns for the elimination of British nuclear weapons and global abolition of nuclear weapons

Question 14

What do friends of the earth do?

Answer 14

It’s a causal pressure group that campaigns against climate breakdown and for a more healthy and fair world

Question 15

What are outsider and insider pressure groups?

Answer 15

Outsider pressure groups have no influence on the government and use media to campaign- this captures public opinion

Insider pressure groups have the support and attention of the government and are often approached for advice, and have regular discussions against the laws

Question 16

What are some examples of outsider pressure groups?

Answer 16

Greenpeace, CND (campaign for nuclear disarmament)

Question 17

What are some examples of insider pressure groups?

Answer 17

The British Medical Association

Question 18

What are some of the tactics used by insider pressure groups?

Answer 18

They seek to be involved in the early stages of policy and law making
They employ professional lobbyists to gain access to decision makers
Selectional groups may be called inn to testify before parliamentary committees, mainly to give advice and inform and also because these groups have the opportunity to have a long term influence

Question 19

What are some of the tactics used by outsider pressure groups?

Answer 19

Public campaigning
Using media to spread the news quicker
They also seek influence by demonstrating to the government that they have public support
They don’t need to follow government standards so have more freedom in the methods- e.g. they can cause civil disturbance, mass strikes and publicity ‘stunts’

Question 20

What is a think tank?

Answer 20

A team which refers to a research organisation that produces information and opinions about public issues

Question 21

What do lobbyists do?

Answer 21

They are people who are employed by a client to influence the political process

Question 22

How can pressure groups threaten democracy?

Answer 22

They have no control over them
The influence pressure groups hold can make the people go against the government
More money= more power
Minority issues have a greater impact than the majority issues
Influential pressure groups can distort info to their own advantage
They can cause civil disturbance and disobedience

Question 23

How do pressure groups enhance democracy?

Answer 23

Groups with high support are the voice of the public
They can educate the public on important issues
Minorities can be represented and hold the government to account and show the bigger picture
Give people opportunities to get involved with politics

Question 24

What does liberal democracy mean?

Answer 24

Democracy that protects the liberties of freedoms of the individual e.g. freedom of speech and the right to vote

Question 25

What are the features of liberal democracy?

Answer 25

The freedom of expression and information
Widespread participation in politics
Fair elections
Free elections
Peaceful transitions of power
Constitutions
Freedom of association
Protection of rights and liberties
The rule of law
Independent judiciary

Question 26

What does protection of rights and liberties mean?

Answer 26

It’s the idea that the rights and liberties of citizens are firmly safeguarded
This is in the ECHR and the Bill of Rights (UK- the Human Rights Act)

Question 27

What does free elections mean?

Answer 27

They need to be “free”- secret ballots
When all adults are free to vote and stand for office
“Universal suffrage”

Question 28

What do fair elections mean?

Answer 28

That everyone has one vote- all votes are equal
It prevents ballot rigging (fixing an election for a fixed outcome)

Question 29

What does the freedom of expression and information mean?

Answer 29

The fundamental features are- the right of the people to express their opinions and criticise the government
The civil liberty- people cannot be arrested or persecuted for expressing negative opinions for those in power, policies or competence

Question 30

What is the rule of law?

Answer 30

All citizens should be treated equally and so should the government. This means that the government cannot break the law and get away with it

Question 31

What do peaceful transitions of power mean?

Answer 31

Those who lose power have to accept the authority of those who have won
If they don’t, politics cannot stand and it causes a non peaceful conflict issue
It holds government to account- ensures the legitimacy for those who won the election

Question 32

What does the freedom of association mean?

Answer 32

The freedom to form political parties/ pressure groups as long as the aims are legal

Question 33

What are the different levels of political engagement?

Answer 33

Standing for public office (most intensive)
Active party membership
Active pressure group memberships
Passive party or group membership
Digital activist
Voting

Question 34

Give some arguments for the suggestion that the franchise should be widened

Answer 34

Younger people are now better informed about politics as a result of citizenship education, the internet and social media
75% of those who voted in the Scottish Referendum were aged 16-17
They’re old enough to pay tax, serve in the army and get married so they should be old enough to be able to vote
Radicalisation of younger generations could act as a useful balance to the often extreme conservative views of older voters

Question 35

What are some of the arguments arguing against the statement that the franchise should be widened

Answer 35

The issues are too complex for the younger to understand and many of their views are determined by the parents and surroundings
Few in this age group pay tax so they have a lower stake in society
They tend to be too young to make rational decisions and they may not always consider issues carefully

Question 36

What was the Magna Carter about and when was it?

Answer 36

It was in 1215
It was the first attempt to limit the power of the monarch and ensure protections against potential dictatorships

Question 37

What was the Human Rights Act about and when was it?

Answer 37

It was in 1998
It brought into effect the ECHR- the UK helped draft the Convention but it wasn’t accepted as a binding on its government until 1998

Question 38

What was the Equality Act and when was it?

Answer 38

It was a series of acts that started in 1965 and the Equality Act itself was established in 2010
The Race Relations Act of 1965 outlawed racism
The Equal Pays Act off 1970 made women and men have the same pay if they worked the same job

Question 39

What was the Freedom of Information Act and when was it?

Answer 39

It was passed on the 30th November 2000
Created a general right of access to all types of recorded info held by most public authorities in the UK. Additionally, it placed a number of obligations on said public authorities. This info can be accessed where members of public request or when members of authority are obliged to publish certain info

Question 40

What is Liberty and what dos it do?

Answer 40

Liberty was founded with the aim of challenging government measurements to restrict freedoms in the UK and combat the rising threats of racism
It fights to protect and uphold civil rights and liberties across the UK and develop a wider ‘rights culture’ across society

Question 41

What are the methods Liberty uses?

Answer 41

Carries out research and investigates into rights abuses and restrictions
Seeks to publicise through media campaigns
Bring legal challenges against right abuses e.g. legal challenge to lockdown
Provides legal advice
Work with the government to advise on legislation
Organises petitions, protests and public demonstrations

Question 42

What are some of the successes of Liberty?

Answer 42

August 2020- won a Court of Appeal ruling against the legal framework used by South Wales Police when using facial recognition technology
2012- captained against the Justice and Security Bill which would allow secret evidence. The then leader- Shami Chakrabarti- managed to persuade the Lib Dem’s to pass a motion against the bill

Question 43

Why is Liberty successful?

Answer 43

Operates like a think tank but has a membership associations like a causal pressure group would
Large membership base and also employs legal expertise
Had a charismatic leader who was able to raise the public profile