Individuals, Pressure Groups, Parties

Question 1

Political participation

Answer 1

Citizens actively partaking in government by putting to use their political rights and freedoms

Question 2

Political actor

Answer 2

Individuals who use political power in a specific society to influence policies, gov decisions and law making

Question 3

Aims of individuals

Answer 3

Individuals are the heart of polictical life in a liberal democracy, participating either individually or collectively. Their main aim is to pressure gov to make changes to existing laws or create new laws reflecting the individuals beliefs

Question 4

Aims of pressure groups

Answer 4

They aim to pressure government to make decicisions or laws advancing economic or social interests or causes. Their difference to political parties aims is that they aim to not just represent their members but also influence electors going to vote

Question 5

Aims of political parties

Answer 5

Major political parties aim to form a government and implement the parties political and ideological agenda. Minor parties aim to gain enough seats in parliament (especially senate) to influence government agenda, hold government to account and influence legislative aims. Minor parties aim to appear as a viable alternative to governmentm

Question 6

Strategies and outcomes of individuals

Answer 6

Voting in elections - compulsory voting forces individual participation
Sending letters to members of parliament/having direct contact with a member - members being informed about what’s happening in their electorate and what their constituents want

Question 7

Strategies outcomes - pressure groups

Answer 7

Advertising and donations - positive outcome especially for interest based pressure groups as they have have the resources to do this effectively
Public rallies and marches - more members of the public involved, the bigger the cause becomes and the more attention it can receive

Question 8

Strategies and outcomes - political parties

Answer 8

A strong and clear ideology not too far from the centre of the political spectrum - easy to follow centralist allows more of population to vote for them
Support of sectional pressure groups - can provide parties with more resources (volunteers, money)