DEMOCRACY & PARTICIPATION

Question 1

voting systems
should fptp be retained
+ve and -ve

Answer 1

for
- benefits some minor parties (nationalist parties like snp)
- major 2 parties can contain fringe views (quite broad)
- big parties can win and carry out manifesto -> no negotiation (coalition), quick power transfer
- easy to understand for voters
- good mp constituency link

against
- people in safe seats have votes wasted -> leads to apathy, winner takes all, winners bonus higher percentage of seats than votes
- no guarantee of coalition
- votes are unequal in value -> small constituency vote counts for more than larger constituency
- less votes for smaller parties (lower chance) -> reduces voter choice
- need for tactical vote shows broken system
- quick power transfer - time should be taken to create a govt
-

Question 2

rights protection
govt clashes with rights

Answer 2

• freedom of speech but govt can restrict protests with fines up to £2500 -> police with more power could lead to police brutality (not entrenched)
• abu qatada makes speeches justifying use of violence to promote islamist cause -> govt want to deport to jordan
• fought deportation as evidence would be gained through torture in jordan -> individual v collective rights

Question 3

franchise
introduction of id
+ve and -ve

Answer 3

for
- prevents voter fraud
- mandatory in ni since 2003
- apply for free voter card

against
- not acc alot of cases of voter fraud
- discrimination against marginalised groups without id
- could lower voter turnout
- increases cost £120 million over 10 years

Question 4

franchise
votes for 16 year olds
+ve and -ve

Answer 4

for
- improves democracy for all
- increases participation for newly enfranchised voters

against
- not mature enough to make decisions

Question 5

franchise
compulsory voting
+ve and -ve

Answer 5

for
- greater democratic legitimacy
- enforces increased participation
- more informed about politics

against
- violation of civil liberties
- extra administrative costs
- may not necessarily be more engaged although there is higher turnout

Question 6

reasons for participation crisis

Answer 6

• many uninterested in politics, disconnected, just for the rich
• less lower class voters as believe that individual votes don’t matter
• more interested in matters that directly impact them eg wages, cost of living, pension , housing crisis
• difficult to find politicians they agree with

Question 7

elements of participation crisis
+ve and -ve

Answer 7

voting
+ve - increasing voter participation since 2001 and referendums
-ve - participation still low compared to 20th century, lower turnout because of voter fatigue

party membership
+ve - since 2013 increasing party membership in snp and green (from labour and conservative)
-ve - lack of strong party loyalties (no longer reflect modern uk)

group politics
+ve - more new groups and issues such as environment
-ve - lower trade union movement 1979 13.2m 2016 6.23m

individual politics
+ve - individuals express their preferences rather than mass political parties
-ve - slakctivism rather than activism (require little effort)

Question 8

functions of pressure groups

Answer 8

• represent areas of community who feel underrepresented by parliament
• promote causes that haven’t been paid attention to by politicians
• inform and educate public on key political issues

Question 9

pressure groups
causal and sectional

Answer 9

causal/promotional - promote particular cause eg environmental, human rights greenpeace
- altruistic -> serve whole community
- mobilising public opinion
- direct action, public demonstrations
- seek widespread support

sectional/interest - represent section of community eg google, amazon, bma, age uk
- largely self interested
- direct links with decision makers
- responsible methods
- formal membership

Question 10

pressure groups
insider and outsider

Answer 10

insider - close links to decision makers
- involved in early stage of policy making
- professional lobbyists
- govt uses some groups for advice
- sectional groups may testify before parliamentary committees

outsider - no position in govt (independence)
- usually causal groups
- public campaigns and social media
- civil disobedience, mass strikes

Question 11

pressure groups
success and failure factors

Answer 11

success factors
- bigger groups put more pressure
- afford more expensive campaigns
- leverage
- changes public attitudes

failure factors
- cheaper campaigns
- unsympathetic govt
- powerful countervailing groups
- support of public