Exam questions Flashcards
Unit 1
Evaluate the view that UK democracy is in crisis
electoral participation (voting)
Party membership (declined from 3.8 to 1%)
Pressure groups, e petitions and digital activists
Unit 1
To what extent are general elections lost by the government rather than won by the opposition
Lack on confidence from electorate
Party diversity
Weak leadership
Unit 1
Evaluate the extent to which social factors determine voting behaviour
Age (difference between labour and conservative)
Ethnicity
Class and link this to region
Unit 1
‘The UK parliament is no longer a truly representative body’ How far do you agree?
The UK has RD (this is not truly democratic or representative due to FPTP system, two party system)
National and social representation (must be a true representation of the population, half women, proportions of ethnic backgrounds, age and class) - 32% Mps went to PS and 7-8% of UK population went to PS - 208 of 650 are women - 8% in HOC and 6% in HOL are EM and 13% of UK population is EM - in addition HOL is unrepresentative
Constituency representation - Every rep has a constituency to which they are accountable on which they make decisions on their behalf - (due to FPTP there is always a clear winner however can result in wasted votes and unrepresentative of the minorities) TALK ABOUT TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY
Party representation - parties are tighter and (usually) a
more united due to having a narrow area of belief. (the majority in a party hold similar beliefs) - usually a single party governs the UK, an exception being 2010-15. - can be seen as undemocratic as it has tyranny of the majority. BUT some parties are classed as umbrella parties (TALK ABOUT UKIP)
Unit 2
To what extent has constitutional reform since 1997 improved the state of democracy in the UK?
House of lords reforms (unelected) 2 stages 1. remove hereitary peers and voting rights - 2. make it an elected chamber (however is still a more professional and efficient body as it is based on merit not birth)
Proportional representation in devolved institutions but not general elections (Scotland and Wales (AMS) Northern Ireland (STV) and in sub-central elections PR is used. - people unfairly represented in GE
House of commons reform (incomplete) Fixed term parl more stable gov and accountability to public, Freedom of information means the public has more rights on seeing official documents.
Unit 2
Using the source evaluate the effectiveness of constitutional reform since 1997?
Democratisation (HOL (2 stages), PR&ER(votes at 16 in Scotland but not EU election) (AV failed in 2011), HOC, FTP, FOI)
Decentralisation (dispersal of power, elected mayors in london, elected police commissioners(but low turnout), devolved powers over health and social care in manchester)
Modernisation and stronger protection of rights (ECHR, FOI, FTP, increased use of referendum) - brought more inline with western countries
Unit 1
Evaluate the extent to which the UK is democratic
Free and fair elections (however low turnout, participation crisis)
Political parties and pressure groups provides a considerable amount of representation. (elitist pressure groups and the party system - little room for minority representation)
Second chamber provides scrutiny and restriction of the House of Commons ( remains completely unelected and thus illegitimate)
Unit 1
Evaluate the use of referendums to determine important political and constitutional issues.
Purest form of democracy (uncorrupt by RP) However there is tyranny of the majority
Express consent of the people (however low turnout) and they can cause social rifts
People are more informed - may not understand complexities and influenced by false information ( just because a person receives false information does not mean they are not entitled to vote)
Unit 1
Using the source, evaluate the view that the UK is suffering from a participation crisis.
Turnout in general elections and European elections
Party membership has fallen
Pressure groups and digital participation (participation has moved)
Unit 1
Small political parties are having an increasingly important impact on UK politics”. How far do you agree?
Offering a fresh opinion as main parties move towards the centre (Labour and the conservatives have only ever been in power)
Influencing policy (however their support is dispersed, and influence is usually outside of parl- campaigning and social media talks.)
Impact on voting outcomes (still remains very much a two party system since the 2015)
Unit 1
Evaluate the criticisms that have been levelled against the use of referendums in the UK
Purest form of democracy - the public have been heard (tyranny of the majority - elected reps can mediate between the interests of minorities and majorities) - refer to Brexit 48-52 (close ref, caused social rifts) Scotland the electorate strongly voted to stay in the EU
DD can educate the people about political issues and gives it more legitimacy as it was the peoples decision (people may be swayed by short-term emotional appeals (philosopher Plato critised for this)
Hard for future govs to change - it can also avoid delay within the political system (reps may be better informed as some issues may be to complex for citizens to understand, and are working in the national interest)
Unit 1
Using the source, evaluate the view that the major parties still remain the dominant force in UK politics.
capture the main issues of the day and present choice (umbrella parties)
FPTP favours a few parties in the race to govern ‘tyranny of the majority’
Minority parties are increasing - the DUPs’ 10 votes were important to meaningful votes for the brexit deal
