democracy and participation

Question 1

what is democracy

Answer 1

literally, it means rule by the people. however, it refers to anything in which the people have an influence on politics, either directly or indirectly

Question 2

what is direct democracy

Answer 2

anyway in which the people are directly involved in politics and there is no one acting as a representative for their views

Question 3

what is representative democracy

Answer 3

a for of democracy where individuals elect representatives on their behalf

Question 4

what are the advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy

Answer 4

STRENGTHS
it encourages democracy and participation as participation is required for change
gives weight to all votes
encourages community and debate
WEAKNESS
it relies heavily on participation which can be damaging if their is any apathy or lack of particiaption
in large, densely populated areas it is hard to accommodate all votes/ideas
minority or extremest views are isolated by the majority

Question 5

what are the strengths and weaknesses of representative democracy

Answer 5

STRENGTHS
it is easy to use in built up, densely populated areas as it is practical and quick due to elected representatives.
elections provide checks on government power.
encourages pluralist politics due to multiple parties and influence of pressure groups.
politicians are well educated and know best.
WEAKNESS
may lead to apathy or lack of participation because of the domination of majority
most politicians are good at avoiding blame especially as elections are held every 5 years
parties and pressure groups are run by people with their own agendas
politicians may be corrupt and not in it for their electorate

Question 6

evaluate the view that there is a participation crisis

Answer 6

YES THERE IS
- lower turnout in recent years compared to the past EG from 1945 to 1997 turnout average was 76% in 2001 this was now 59%. second order- local - elections or even worse with turnout for those being as low as 33.8%
- there is a digression from traditional political participation EG rise in pressure groups or political protests
- there is a sense of political apathy, maybe caused by increased social media use, which is encouraging a lack of engagement in real world politics. EG this is explained by low younger gen turnout
NO THERE ISN’T
- turnout has since recovered and now is almost as high as pre 2001 levels EG rising from 59 - 68% in 2017
- despite lack of engagement in traditional politics we are still participating only in newer ways. this include online debate, marches/protests and a rise in party and group membership
- social media may actually encourage participation by giving the younger gen especially a more modern way to engage EG live debates, online opinion polls, youtube and twitter accounts.

Question 7

outline changes to suffrage over time

Answer 7

1867 - borough householders - shopkeepers, tradesmen
1884 - rural householders - farmers
1918 - women over 30 men over 21
1928 - all adults over 21 
1948 - end of plural voting
1969 - voting age is now 18

Question 8

what is a pressure group

Answer 8

a group or organisation which seeks to influence government ideas or policy but does not seek to sit in parliament

Question 9

what is an insider pressure group

Answer 9

they have regular contact with ministers or civil servants which allow them to more efficiently employ their ideas - EG BMA - the british medical association

Question 10

what is an outsider pressure group

Answer 10

they have no government contact and act completely separate from government EG occupy London

Question 11

what is a sectional pressure group

Answer 11

a pressure group which is focused on a particular occupation or group within society

Question 12

what is a cause pressure group

Answer 12

a pressure group which focuses on a particular issue in society

Question 13

what are some methods used by pressure groups to gain support or enact change

Answer 13

this depends largely on what type of pressure group they are:
insider groups are likely to work quietly within government to ensure a professional relationship
outsider groups tend to have less money or resources and so use more radical or extreme methods including protests or social media to gain support

Question 14

why are some pressure groups more influential than others

Answer 14

money/resources
leadership
public support
government support

Question 15

CASE STUDY - BMA

Answer 15

in 2011, they wanted a blanket ban on smoking in cars
The government had no plans for legislation, focusing instead on publishing health risks of smoking
After reviewing their campaign and understanding that the original goal was unattainable they went for a ban on smoking in cars with children attracting support of other groups like asthma UK
BMA used online technologies to lobby for support, providing members with online petition forms and made its case to house of lords
The ban came into force in October 2015

Question 16

CASE STUDY - occupy london

Answer 16

A group of protesters occupied the square in front of st paul’s in London
They were protesting about corporate greed in the capital
Occupy london was echoed by similar protest in other countries
Coalition spending cuts were making life for the poor hard while the rich seemed unharmed
There was some sympathy for the protesters when they were removed by the police
They failed to achieve long lasting results
The movements objectives were too broad and incoherent that even if government had wanted to help they did not understand the actual aims of their movement.

Question 17

what are some aims of pressure groups - functions

Answer 17

To inform government on particular issues
To represent the public
To educate and inform the public
Less intensive but relevant opportunity for participation
Allows the public to release tension and maintain peace

Question 18

what are think tanks

Answer 18

groups formed by experts in a particular field which come together to form solutions to problems

Question 19

what are the strengths and weaknesses of think tanks

Answer 19

STRENGTHS
Member are young, ambitious individuals from different backgrounds looking to get into politics
They are an alternative source of ideas with more time and political expertise
Their policies are based on focused academic research
WEAKNESSES
They are said to lack the academic rigor found in university circles
members may have their own agenda for being there

Question 20

when have think tanks been used

Answer 20

Thatcher in the 70’s relied on pressure groups a lot and they have much to do with the economic move towards a free market

Question 21

what are lobbyists

Answer 21

a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators. - they are paid by outsiders to influence government

Question 22

what are the strengths and weaknesses of lobbyists

Answer 22

STRENGTHS
they have regular consultations with government which can lead to informed change
WEAKNESSES
it can lead to corruption within parliament where ministers are paid to influence decision.
it is unfair that politics can be influenced by the wealthy

Question 23

what are corporations

Answer 23

the involvement of large businesses or corporations in British politics.

Question 24

strengths and weaknesses of corporations

Answer 24

STRENGTHS
they are able to expertly inform government on particular issues
they are trusted insitutions
WEAKNESSES
sometimes, they pay lobbyists
they have a lot of influence on government and can enact major change - when businesses threaten to relocate parliament is forced to act because it could lead to massive economical, social and political problems
corruption can occur

Question 25

how did the human rights act change our human rights

Answer 25

before the reform in 1998 much all our rights were upheld by law: you could do anything unless exactly forbidden by law.
the human rights act changed this so that common law was replaced by clear statue law. This gives citizens much better legal protection.
the act also ensures that public bodies protect human rights.

Question 26

the effectiveness of human rights pressure groups

Answer 26

Liberty
- their extradition campaign led to a review by the British government
Howard League for penal reform
- their work to reduce child arrests has led to 59% decrease in child arrests
- they introduced real work in prison where they trained prisoners as graphic designers so they can have a real effect once out

Question 27

how democratic is the UK

Answer 27

HOW WE ARE DEMOCRATIC
Multi party system to ensure representation of all views
Free media
Independent judiciary
Devolved governments to protect individual rights in Scotland and Wales
Free and fair elections
HOW WE ARE UNDEMOCRATIC
Wealthy businesses which can influence the media
Undemocratic nature of the unelected second chamber
Catch all parties and exclusion of small parties by big two leave many electorate under represented
Humans right act does not provide adequate protection of human rights

Question 28

ways of strengthening democracy in the UK

Answer 28

Compulsory voting
Reform of the voting society
Reform of the house of lords
Greater recall of MP’s 
Reform of house of commons
Reform the devolved system
Reform of the monarchy
Codifying the constitution
E-democracy