Democracy & Participation

Question 1

Democracy translates directly to what?

Answer 1

Democracy translates directly from Ancient Greek to “rule of the people”.

Question 2

Define the two types of democracy.

Answer 2

Direct Democracy: A form of democracy where people make decisions for themselves. Example: holding referendums.

Representative Democracy: A form of democracy where the people elect or choose representatives who make political decisions on their behalf. Example: acts of Parliament.

Question 3

Six features of representative democracy.

Answer 3

1. Social Representation: it is representing all sectors of society. For example, close to half should be women and a proportion should be drawn from ethnic minorities.
2. Representing the National Interest: If representatives sit in the National Parliament they are expected to represent the interests of the nation as a whole. For example: representing airports.
3. Constituency Representation: geographical representation is used in Britain; Britain is divided into 650 constituencies and each has a MP. Local MPs represent the interests of the area; and redress of grievance for any individual concerns. Example: a third crossing in Lowestoft.
4. Party Representation: All modern democracies are characterised by the existence of political parties. Parties have stated policies. At election times these are contained in a manifesto.
5. Functional Representation: Some representatives will not represent just their constituency or region, but a particular occupational or social group. Example: some may represent professions like doctors or teachers.
6. Casual Representation: These represent the whole community. Beliefs and demands involved are claimed to benefit everyone, not just a particular group in society. Typical causes include environmental protection, and animal rights.

Question 4

Define what is meant by ‘redress of grievance’.

Answer 4

The practice adopted by many elected representatives of taking up the case of an individual constituent who feels thy have suffered an injustice, usually at the hands of government or an agency of the state.

Question 5

What is a ‘manifesto’?

Answer 5

A manifesto, is a statement of a party’s agreed policies produced during an election campaign to inform the public about the political platform of candidates.

Question 6

Two advantages of ‘representative democracy’.

Answer 6

Advantages:

1. Elected representatives know best as they are the expert- they have superior knowledge and judgement.
2. Allows Parliament to carry out policies that are necessary but unpopular. Like cuts to public services.

Question 7

Two advantages of ‘direct democracy’.

Answer 7

Advantages:

1. It is the purest form of democracy. The people’s voice is clearly heard.
2. The fact that people are making a decision gives it great legitimacy.

Question 8

Two disadvantages of ‘representative democracy’.

Answer 8

Disadvantages:

1. Often enjoy lengthy terms in office meaning they can’t easily be held publicly accountable for the decisions they make.
2. Limits the amount of participation by the people between elections, contributing to political apathy.

Question 9

Two disadvantages of ‘direct democracy’.

Answer 9

Disadvantages:

1. It can lead to the tyranny of the majority, whereby the winning majority simply ignores the interests of the minority.
2. Some issues may be too complex for the ordinary citizen to understand. The people may be too easily swayed by short-term, emotional appeals by charismatic individuals.

Question 10

Reasons that the voting age should be lowered to 16.

Answer 10

1. Young people are now more informed about politics than ever.
2. Voting turnout for 18-24 is very low. This may encourage more young people to vote and become engaged with politics.
3. If one is old enough to serve in the army, get married, start a family, and pay taxes, one should be old enough to vote.
4. The internet and social media now enables young people to be better informed about politics.
5. The radicalism of the very young could act as a useful balance of the extreme conservatism of the elderly voters.

Question 11

Reasons the voting age should remain at 18.

Answer 11

1. People aged 16 and 17 are too young to be able to make rational judgements.
2. Many issues are too complex for younger people to understand.
3. Few people in this age group pay tax so they have a lower stake in society.
4. It is argued by some that the very young tend to be excessively radical as they have not had enough experience to consider issues carefully.

Question 12

Define the key term ‘Suffrage’.

Answer 12

Suffrage is the right to vote. Franchise is another word meaning the same.

Question 13

What was significant about the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum?

Answer 13

In 2014, for the first time in UK history, 16 and 17 year olds were allowed to vote in the referendum on Scottish independence. Under the 2016 Reduction of Voting Age Act, this was extended to all elections over Scotland, but not to UK general elections or referendum.

Question 14

What is a pressure group?

Answer 14

A pressure group can be defined as an association whose aim is to influence policy making at local, regional, national or European level without actually seeking office.

Question 15

Two differences between pressure groups and political parties.

Answer 15

1. Political parties, unlike pressure groups, seek office.
2. Pressure groups have a narrow range of interests; which makes them different from political parties. They develop expertise, specialise in a specific area, and want dialogue between elections with the state.

Question 16

Two examples of pressure groups.

Answer 16

Greenpeace; a radical promotional group, who campaign for the environment.
F4J (Fathers For Justice); a sectional group, who fight for equal rights for fathers.

Question 17

Describe the old classification of pressure groups.

Answer 17

The old classification of pressure groups, splits them into sectional groups and promotional groups.

Question 18

What is a sectional pressure group?

Answer 18

Sectional Groups represent a specific section of society.
They normally try to protect their interests.
They are exclusive.
For example, the National Union for a Students (NUS) and the British Medical Association (BMA).

Question 19

What is a promotional pressure group?

Answer 19

Promotional Groups do not represent a specific section in society.
They promote a cause which they believe will benefit the whole community.
Promotional Groups are inclusive and open to all.
For example, Greenpeace.

Question 20

What is the problem with the old classification of pressure group?

Answer 20

Some pressure groups are dual-function. In a sense, these are a mixture between promotional and sectional groups.
For example, the Countryside Alliance.

Question 21

What two categories does the newer classification split pressure groups into?

Answer 21

Insider and outsider groups.

Question 22

What is an ‘insider’ group?

Answer 22

Insider groups are part of the decision making process with the government. They tend to have close links with decision makers at all levels.
Examples of insider groups include prison officers, doctors, teachers (all sectional groups). The government tends to look for a consensus with these insider groups.

Question 23

What is an ‘outsider’ group?

Answer 23

Outsider groups are those which do not enjoy a special position within governing circles. These outsider groups tend to be ignored by the government; they are not a part of decision making and they are not consulted when policies are made.
Outsider pressure groups do not need to behave in such a responsible way as insider groups.

Question 24

Four methods used by Pressure Groups.

Answer 24

1. Access points and lobbying: the way in which groups seek to promote their chase or interests depends on what some extent on the access points they have available to them.
2. Public Campaigning: groups without direct access to the government tend to mobilise public opinions to promote themselves. Public campaigning ranges from organising mass demonstrations, to creating and publicising e-petitions, to using celebrities to gain publicity, to acts of civil disobedience.
3. Marches: Example is the 2003 march against the Iraq War; thought to be one of the biggest marches in history.
4. Stunts: the whole purpose is to get on the media to gain support of public opinion. Example: F4J, dressed up as superheroes and climbed up Buckingham Palace.

Question 25

Explain three success factors for pressure groups.

Answer 25

1. Size: The more supporters a group has, the more pressure it can place on decision makers. Size however, is no guarantee of success. Example: Age UK, campaign for the elderly - big group which has a high percentage when voting; ‘grey power’.
2. Finance: Wealthy groups can afford expensive campaigns, employ lobbyists, sponsor political parties and purchase favourable publicity. Example: CBI.
3. Public mood: the combination of public sentiment and strong campaigning can be successful in bringing an issue to the attention of decision makers. This where anti-smoking feeling combined with a successful lobbying campaign in the last two decades has result in a raft of anti-tobacco legislation.

Question 26

Explain three failure factors of pressure groups.

Answer 26

1. Unsympathetic Government: