Democracy and Participation examples: Flashcards
Who has shown DA doesn’t succeed and can attract a negative response from the government?
-Insulate Britain and extinction rebellion had a negative response from the government.
Give three examples of how DA can put people off if the media is against you?
- Occupy London failed its aim to reduce poverty reduction.
- Unsuccessful stop the war coalition.
- Positive adverts gain more sympathy than violent demonstrations.
Who are fathers for justice and how did they force change?
A pressure group trying to raise the issue of rights of Fathers. Dressed up as superhero’s on top of buildings- led to a change in the law.
Positive impacts of extinction rebellion and insulate UK?
Raised the profile of the environment, people are talking about it and the government has gone more green since 2010.
How do trade unions force change?
When TU’s go on strike it makes government change, RMT threatening strikes during Olympics over pay- the government quickly gave in.
Which march over war attracted support and highlighted discontent?
The stop the war coalition. Despite unsuccess they still showed to Blair their unhappiness.
Which examples of direct action got people involved over social media?
- Stop the war coalition.
- Occupy London 2010.
- Trade union strikes.
How did HS2 promote democracy?
-Residents showing upset over projected railway lone over their houses.
Who were the Ghurkas and how did they promote democracy/ represented?
- Fought for us in the war.
- Small group of people given citizenship.
- Joanna Lumley went onto national TV.
How do pressure groups encourage people to participate?
- Strikes.
- Letters to MP’s.
- Environmental concerns ect.
Why do political parties encourage participation more than pressure groups?
- 70% of people vote in elections.
- 1M protested war in Iraq but out of population that isn’t that many.
- Small numbers actually go on strike.
- BUT… membership of PP’s down, PG’s up.
How many members did trade unions have in 1979?
13.2M members
How many members did trade unions have in 2016?
6.23M members.
How many environmental groups had a collective membership of 4.5M members?
139.
What fraction of adults are are part of an environmental pressure group?
1/10
What social movement was large in 2020?
2020 BLM, engaging the younger generation.
How does direct action challenge democracy?
Undermines elections, parties and parliaments which is a reduction of legitimacy.
How many members does the interest pressure group the NEU have?
450,000
Which large corporations have a say in democracy?
Shell and Tesco- there success depends on the economy and they both hold a big stake in society.
Examples of lobbyists being problematic?
- 1998- Derek Draper boasting about 17 links in labour party.
- 2009 2 labour peers offering to make amendments in legislation for £120,000
- Lord Blencathara accepting 12k a month to lobby for Cayman islands.
- Heavy lobbying in 2020 from alcohol industry successfully freezing tax.
What act made lobbying more transparent?
-Transparency of lobbying, non party campaigning and trade union administration act 2014.
Transparency of lobbying, non party campaigning and trade union administration act 2014 criticism?
- 85% still goes unreported according to cabinet office.
- Excludes in house-lobbyists and those who lobby directly themselves.
Who were the Gurkha justice campaign?
2009- Joanna Lumley involved on TV with MP, trying to get citizenship for Ghurkhas
What were the anti-smoking groups?
During Tony Blair era- smoking ban in pubs.
Who are some very big pressure groups?
National Trust.
RSPB
What was the stop the war coalition?
1M protesting war in Iraq.
Who are the BMA?
Medical pressure group.
Why is the CBI (big group so successful)? (speaks up for businesses).
- Widely consulted by the media.
- High public profile.
What did BJ announce at the CBI conference?
- shelving cut for corp tax from 19-17.
- Boris thought this would be an issue for public concern.
Who are the largest pressure groups?
- NSPCC- ‘Flaw in the law campaign which made sending sexual messages to children illegal- led to serious crimes act 2015.
- Had 117.9 M- 90% directly from supporters.
- TUC- 500,000 protesters under spending cuts from the coalition.
- BMA (Most of them are doctors tho).
Examples of small successful groups?
-Howard league- 19 staff, quoted by 500 media staff in one day.
Who have very good leadership styles?
- CPS.
- Hansbury strategy.
- Facebook employing Nick Clegg (corp).
What is the problem with the British medical society’s leadership style?
- Government change in JD contract.
- Six-five day strikes.
- Doctors rejected the compromise.
Which group did not succeed when the government was not interested?
‘March for the alternative’ -DC was committed to spending cuts already.
Which group did succeed because the government was interested?
- Taxpayers alliance.
- ‘March for the alternative’
- Aligned with DC’s views.
- Included reducing benefit cap.
Which campaign in 2020 regarding free school meals had lots of public support and led to the government changing laws?
- Marcus Rashford- free school meals.
- Open letter to MP’s, TV appearances and 2M twitter followers.
- Forced a U-turn.
Examples of failure pressure groups?
- Stop war coalition.
- BMA- lost battle over junior doctor contact.
Examples about judicial review?
- judges unelected so can represent interests of the people.
- Court cannot strike down an act of parliament- so the elected government still have a say in rights.
- UK had best record of ECOHR convention compliance.
Disadvantages of judicial review?
- Court have too much power, bad decisions over terrorism putting UK in danger.
- July 2020- independent panel reviewed- reform- needed a balance.
- Conservative manifesto 2019- update HRA.
Examples of the strong culture of respect for civil liberties?
- Joint committee of houses scrutinising government decisions and HR’s.
- Question of whether pandemic complied with 2,5 and 8.
- Equality and HR commission- investigating into labours anti-Semitism claims.
Examples that the respect is just lip service?
- Anti terrorism act 2001- indefinite detention incompatible.
- Investigatory powers act- data about communications- liberty campaigned against this.
- Coronavirus act- relation of disabled people.
Examples of fighting for civil liberties?
- Howard league and prison reform trust.
- Liberty and judicial review.
- Devolved governments do not want to get rid of HR.
- HRA act used by individuals to get gov to change mind without court review.
Examples of growing criticism of civil liberties?
- Criticisms over protecting rights of criminals, terror suspects and criminals.
- Human rights inflation- same level for right to a family to life- leading to bad decisions.
- Judges not appreciating HR act and tradition.
