Democracy and participation- Paper 1

Question 1

Direct democracy

Answer 1

Individuals express their opinions themselves

Question 2

Direct democracy pros and cons

Answer 2

PROS:
-purest form of democracy
-can avoid delay
-vert legitimate

CONS:
-tyranny of the majority
-difficult in large societys
-some issues too complex

Question 3

representative democracy

Answer 3

people select a person or party to make a political decision on their behalf

Question 4

Representative democracies pros and cons

Answer 4

PROS:
-only practical way in large societies
-representatives can develop expertise
-leaves public free to get on with their lives

CONS:
-can be difficult to hold representatives to account
- lead to public disengagement
-representatives may not act in the best interest of the people

Question 5

forms of representation in the UK

Answer 5

-parties
-constituencies
-pressure groups

Question 6

The UK IS democratic

Answer 6

-nearly everyone over 18 can vote
-ECHR and Judiciary
-free media and internet access

Question 7

The UK ISNT democratic

Answer 7

-FPTP isn’t proportionate
-parliament is sovereign
-a lot of the press in in the hands of a few people

Question 8

Potential reform in the UK

Answer 8

REPLACE HOLS WITH AN ELECTED CHAMBER:
- more legitimate
x may cause rivalry with the HOCs

REPLACE FPTP:
- proportionate
x coalition more likely

STATE PARTY FUNDING:
- allows politicians to focus on their jobs
x how to distribute funding?

Question 9

Forms of participation

Answer 9

PARTY MEMBERSHIP:
-1950s over 3 million
-in decline since

VOTING:
-local, general, referendums

DIGITAL:
-e-petitions

Question 10

Brexit referendum

Answer 10

-2016
-leave= 52/
-remain= 48/
-turnout=72/

Question 11

E-petition eg’s

Answer 11

2016 2ND BREXIT REFERENDUM:
-3.6 mill signatures
-debate held
-unsuccessful

2020 MORE SUPPORT TO THE ARTS:
-200,000 signatures
-gov increased funding

Question 12

Compulsory voting

Answer 12

-Australia
-Turn out always above 90/

FOR:
-people forced to inform themselves
-more of society involved
-increased legitimacy

AGAINST:
x ill informed votes
x spoiled ballots
x favours larger parties

Question 13

Suffrage

Answer 13

the ability/ right to vote

Question 14

Suffragist’s

Answer 14

-open to all
-Fawcett
-internally democratic
-peaceful methods eg meetings, petitions
-1897
-3000

Question 15

Suffragettes

Answer 15

-women only
-run by Pankhurst and daughters
-not democratic
-violent methods
-1903
-over 100,000

Question 16

Votes at 16 pros and cons

Answer 16

PROS:
- young people are better informed than ever
-old enough to serve in the army
-youth radicalism may balance the grey vote

CONS:
x too young to make rational judgments
x complex issues
x don’t pay tax so lower stake in society

Question 17

Functions of pressure groups

Answer 17

-represent minorities
-to educate the public
-to influence the gov

Question 18

pressure group methods

Answer 18

LOBBYING:
-using contacts inside of the gov

PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS:
-protests/ petitions to gain gov attention

ILLEGAL METHODS:
for publicity

Question 19

causal groups

Answer 19

-promote a particular cause
-altruistic
-often use direct action
-Greenpeace

Question 20

Sectional Groups

Answer 20

-work in self interest
-seek links with decision makers
-formal membership
-RMT

Question 21

Insider/ outsider groups

Answer 21

have gov links/ don’t

Question 22

Factors affecting success of pressure groups

Answer 22

MEMBERSHIP SIZE:
-the bigger, the more funding and pressure on gov

FINANCE:
-wealth groups can afford expensive campaigns

PUBLIC MOOD:
-politicians more likely to support a popular cause

Question 23

ASH

Answer 23

-founded in the 1960s
-educate on the harms of smoking
METHODS:
-lobbying, research
SUCCESSES:
-restrictions on tobacco advertisement, persuaded gov to increase tax
FAILURES:
-E-cigarettes

Question 24

Do Pressure groups enhance or threaten democracy?

Answer 24

ENHANCE:
- help disperse power
- protect minorities
-encourage participation

THREATEN:
x elitist
x may distort info
x rich pressure groups have disproportionate influence

Question 25

RMT

Answer 25

-1990
-better pay and conditions for rail workers
METHODS:
-lobbying, strikes
SUCCESSES:
-2012 Olympics bonus, improved safety on oil platforms
FAILURES:
-less success out of London, many ticket offices shut

Question 26

Think Tanks

Answer 26

-Expert brought together to focus on certain topics, helps parties

Question 27

Left wing think tank

Answer 27

THE FABIAN SOCIETY:
-associated with socialist policies and has historically influenced the labour party

Question 28

Right wing think tank

Answer 28

IEA:
-free market group
-close with the Tories
-are critical of tobacco restrictions while receiving funding from tobacco companies implying there is corrution

Question 29

Lobbyist

Answer 29

• paid by client to influence the gov
  benefit those with money at the expense of public
  -EG tobacco companies lobbying to limit restrictions, prioritising profits over health

Question 30

Participation statistic

Answer 30

General Election turnout:
1997:76/
2001:60/