Paper 2 Section A Flashcards

Question

``` At what age were people allowed to vote in the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum? Shade in the one correct answer. [1 mark] A 16 B 17 C 18 D 21 ```

Answer 1

Points which may be raised in agreement with the statement could include: • high participation rates are necessary for a healthy democracy and all citizens, especially the young, have a civic duty to subsequently participate • it is the responsibility of all citizens, including the young, to ensure they are well-informed and therefore able to participate effectively in that society’s democratic process • if young people fail to participate in the democratic process they forfeit the right to complain or protest against government decisions which adversely affect them or causes they believe in • decisions taken by government will, inevitably, affect young people so it is their interest to participate. Points which may be raised in disagreement with the statement could include: • most young people in the UK being uninterested in, or are apathetic towards politics – due to a distrust of government and a lack of faith in politicians – and the responsibility to address this apathy lies with the political system not young people • some young people in the UK being ‘hapathetic’ – quite content with their lives – have no desire or need to get involved in the democratic process, a decision which is a perfectly responsible one to take • many young people in the UK having a lack of understanding of how the democratic process works – and therefore being are ill-informed about politics and party policies – and the responsibility to address this lies with the political system not young people • the issues which politicians talk about being of no interest, or perceived relevance, to young people in the UK and therefore politicians are responsible for youth disengagement with politics and not young people themselves.

Answer 2

* petitions * demonstrations * lobbying * direct action * celebrity endorsement * boycotts; leafleting * use of social media * media stunts

Answer 3

Points which may be raised in agreement with the statement, in terms of how political parties may provide a voice, and an opportunity for democratic participation, for citizens could include political parties: • provide an important means by which the citizen can exercise control over the government via voting in elections • have a broader representative role than the narrow sectional one of pressure groups • provide an important means of participation via allowing citizens to both join a political party and also stand for elected office • are effective mechanisms for the aggregation of citizen demands into coherent policy agendas i.e. manifestos. Points which may be raised in disagreement with the statement, in terms of how political parties may not provide a voice, and a means to overcome barriers to participation in democracy, for citizens could include political parties: • have dwindling memberships • are increasingly similar in political outlook – converging on the ‘middle ground’ – and composition – similar background ‘social elite’ • can themselves be undemocratic i.e. candidate selection • can be beholden to undemocratic forces i.e. certain pressure groups or wealthy donors.

Answer 4

* Democracy * The rule of law * Individual liberty * Respect * Tolerance

Answer 5

Obey the law • This will make society more peaceful and cohesive. pay their taxes • This will mean more money for the governments to spend on public services tolerate and respect other people • This will make society fairer and free from discrimination. Be active citizens (in ways other than voting) • This gives citizens a voice and strengthens democracy be a juror • This ensures that citizens are judged by their peers/get a fair trial.

Answer 6

* Britain is a multi-faith society * Britain is made up of four separate nations * Britain is a multiracial society * Britain has a long history of immigratio

Answer 7

``` • More citizenship lessons in school. As this will increase young citizens’ understanding of British society/common values. ``` ``` • More British history lessons in school. As this will increase young citizens’ awareness of shared identity and common values ``` ``` • Encourage more volunteering/community action. As this will encourage citizens to work with others and integrate more fully into society ``` • Pass laws. That will promote equality, encourage fairness and prevent discrimination. • Deny publicity to extremist views As this will prevent intolerant ideas gaining credibility

Answer 8

council of europe

Answer 9

* Humanitarian Aid (accept ‘Aid’ as a correct answer) * Use of force * Sanctions * Mediation (accept negotiations or arranging conferences/treaties)

Answer 10

``` Mozambique (Source C) NGO RESPONSE • The flooding stranded survivors. Provide volunteers and equipment to help rescue stranded survivors ``` • The flooding destroyed houses. Provide volunteers and materials to build temporary shelter for survivors. • The flooding destroyed crops. Provide food aid to feed the survivors ``` • The flooding resulted in the loss of clean water (and as a consequence increased the risk of disease). Provide medical aid and doctors to treat the injured and deal with any outbreak of disease ``` ``` • The flooding destroyed roads, bridges and power supplies. • Provide money, volunteers and expertise to help rebuild the infrastructure of Mozambique ``` ``` • Cost to rebuild/provide aid. Fundraising efforts to help provide financial support for the rescue/rebuilding efforts – which could include lobbying relevant governments and organisations ```

Answer 11

Answers may examine the effectiveness of citizen group action with reference to the following factors which tend to determine how successful the fight to change public policy, challenge an injustice or resolve a local community issue proves to be: • Objectives • Membership • Strategy and tactics • Opposition • Funding • Relationship with government • Relationship with the media.

Answer 12

Award 1 mark for an accurate explanation of the term ‘voter turnout’ as either the number, or percentage, of voters who actually vote. AO1 = 1

Answer 13

Points which may be included to argue that democracy needs to be strengthened: • Many important institutions are socially unrepresentative and therefore undermine key values such as equality and representation • Cuts to public services and public funding, in particular things such as legal aid or youth clubs, undermine attempts to integrate young people into society and promote equal access for all citizens to the law • E-democracy is ineffective as online petitions are ignored by government • Cuts in education funding have undermined attempts to promote British values throughout the school system • The voting age of 18 is unfair as 16-year olds are held responsible for their actions in other ways (criminal responsibility and joining the armed forces) but are not allowed to vote • The electoral system is undemocratic as First Past the Post’ (FPTP) system is unrepresentative and referendums are rarely used • Current political institutions are no longer trusted by the public • The media is no longer trusted as a reliable source of information. Points which may be included to argue that democracy is already strong: • Important institutions are increasingly socially representative, and legislation such as the 2010 Equalities Act have helped to encourage this further • All citizens still have access to the law and are guaranteed fair treatment in the justice system • E-democracy is an active feature of UK democracy, in particular online petitions • The UK Government’s Prevent strategy in schools and colleges is an active attempt to counter extremism and promote the key values of tolerance, fairness, understanding and democracy • The voting age reflects the age at which a young person can be considered fully responsible for their actions and is therefore the appropriate age for being able to vote • Proportional representation (PR) is used in many elections in the UK and referendums are an increasingly important feature of British democracy • Although the public’s trust in current politicians has been weakened, the UK’s political institutions are still effective in performing their roles • Many organisations in the media, such as the BBC, are still trusted to be impartial and reliable.