influences on law making Flashcards
booklet 1
house of commons definition
The elected branch of Parliament consisting of 650 MP’s, each elected by and representing a constituency area in the UK. The make laws for the UK, alongside the House of Lords
house of lords definition
The unelected branch of Parliament consisting of peers, who have either inherited their position or been appointed due to their achievements in a certain field. They make laws for the UK alongside the House of Commons
legislation
Laws / Acts of Parliament / Statutes
judiciary meaning
name given to judges as a whole
what are the 6 influences on parliament
pressure groups
kings speech
media
lobbyists
manifesto
public opinion
what other sources may also be a factor (4)
EU Law –an EU Directive
Private Member’s Bills – this is when an individual MP introduces a new law
Emergency Situations
The Law Commission – this is an independent body who review changes that are needed to the law
political influence- advantage (3) (extra for ad- same applies to rest)
Manifesto informs public and outlines what parties stand for.
Shows what the government will do.
Winning party will have a majority in the Commons so should be able to enact new laws.
fair- democratic
political influence- disadvantage (4) (extra for ad)
Parties don’t always keep their promises- 2010 Lib Dems ditched their pre-election pledge to scrap university tuition fees and instead set out a policy with their Conservative coalition partners to triple the fees.
It is a big document so the public may not bother to read it all.
New parties can repeal old laws.
Small majorities or Coalitions may not reflect the wishes of the whole country.
public opinion/ media advantages (6)
Fastest way to spread news.
Way of getting the public involved.
Democratic.
Events can happen which cause a swell of public support for an issue.
Social media is immediate feedback for government.
Free press can criticize government.
public opinion/ media disadvantages (5)
Government respond too quickly to the public which could be bad as they may not have taken their time to think it through.
Public can resort to criminal behavior to promote their cause.
Media can create public panics.
Main aim is to make profit.
Not politically neutral.
pressure groups- advantages (5)
Gives the public a voice.
They raise awareness.
Can provide well thought-out law changes.
Some have large memberships representing the electorate.
They can raise issues that government might usually back away from.
pressure groups- disadvantages (4)
Biased.
May only help a minority (tyranny of the minority).
May resort to undesirable tactics which can be violent or illegal.
Two conflicting groups can cancel each other out.
lobbyists- advantages (3)
basically when people try to get the attention of an individual MP
Easy for members of the public to get their views in Parliament.
They are successful in bringing issues to the attention of MP’s.
Professional lobbyists are experts and can provide advice and information for the government on the issue at hand.
lobbyists- disadvantages (3)
It can be unethical and the process can get abused (e.g. cash for questions).
It requires experience to offer a solution.
It will only be effective for 1 group.
Revolving Door.
what is the revolving door
government officials leave the office to become lobbyists, and by which lobbyists become government officials – presents problems for modern democracies that largely go unrecognized, unaccounted for and unpoliced.
manifesto- advantages (3)
A manifesto clearly outlines the goals, values, and principles of a group, organization, or movement. This clarity helps members or followers understand the overarching vision and purpose.
guiding principles that can serve as a foundation for decision-making.
sets a standard against which actions and decisions can be measured. This helps in holding individuals or organizations accountable for their actions.
manifesto- disadvantages (4)
political parties can go against their manifesto once they are in power
not everyone would agree with it- 2010 Lib Dems ditched their pre-election pledge to scrap university tuition fees and instead set out a policy with their Conservative coalition partners to triple the fees.
The language used in a manifesto may be subject to interpretation, and different individuals or groups may interpret it in ways that were not intended. This can lead to misunderstandings and internal conflicts.
In an attempt to establish a clear identity, a manifesto might unintentionally marginalize or dismiss diverse perspectives within a group or community, hindering inclusivity.
public opinion advantages (4)
mechanism for holding leaders and institutions accountable
feedback for government actions and policies.
motivates individuals to voice their concerns, participate in elections, and actively contribute to the democratic process.
contributes to better decision-making-an educated and engaged public can provide valuable insights and perspectives that enhance the quality of policies and decisions.
public opinion- disadvantages (4)
Public opinion can be shaped and manipulated by media, which may have its own biases, agendas, or sensationalism.
Special interest groups or powerful lobbies may manipulate public opinion to serve their own interests.
may be influenced by misinformation or a lack of accurate information.
individuals may follow the crowd without critical thinking.
