Politics and participation- where does political power reside

Question 1

What principle is a democratic government based on?

Answer 1

That all people are equal and collectively hold power and those elected are accountable to the people

Question 2

Features of a democracy

Answer 2

-regular, open and fair elections for public bodies
-secret ballot
-accountable results system
-citizens can stand for election
-government is accountable
-candidates can campaign equally (no bribes, finances or intimidation)
-media can freely report
-independent judiciary
-public can use legal processes to hold the government to account

Question 3

What type of democracy is the UK?

Answer 3

Representative

Question 4

What are the characteristics of a liberal democracy?

Answer 4

System of democracy where certain freedoms of the individual are upheld and citizens are protected from excessive government power

e.g. UK, USA, EU countries

Question 5

Referendums are an example of which type of democracy?

Answer 5

Direct- all citizens directly participate in decision making

Question 6

A system of government where citizens are elected to represent others is a ………… democracy

Answer 6

Representative

Question 7

The definition of a dictatorship is…..

Answer 7

Form of government where one person or a small group holds absolute power with no limitations

Question 8

The definition of theocracy is ……

Answer 8

Country governed by a religious leader

Question 9

Examples of countries which follow absolute monarchy

Answer 9

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar

Question 10

Examples of one-party system countries

Answer 10

Russia

Question 11

Countries currently ruled by a dictator include

Answer 11

North Korea, Qatar

Question 12

Which voting system is used in UK general elections?

Answer 12

First past the post

Question 13

What is the fixed-term Parliament act 2011?

Answer 13

-fixed term for future parliaments in UK
-abolished in 2022, general elections must now be held within a 5 year period decided by PM or a vote of no confidence by the government

Question 14

What are responsibilities?

Answer 14

Duties placed upon citizens by society

Question 15

What are freedoms?

Answer 15

A power or right to speak and act or think as you want

Question 16

Examples of responsibilities:

Answer 16

Pay taxes, obey the law, do jury duty

Question 17

Examples of freedoms:

Answer 17

Freedom of choice, freedom of the press, freedom of movement, freedom of expressiom

Question 18

Define equality

Answer 18

Equal treatment for all within society

Question 19

What are 2 examples of equality legislation for women?

Answer 19

-representation of the people Act 1928
-Equal pay Act 1970
-Equality Acts 2006 and 2010
-Sex discrimination Acts 1975 and 1986
-Employment and equality Regulations 2003 and 2006

Question 20

Give an example of legislation for racial equality

Answer 20

Any from
-Race Regulations Act 1965,1968,1976,2000

Question 21

How are children’s rights legally protected?

Answer 21

-UN convention on rights of the child in force from 1992
-over 40 specific rights for children

Question 22

Which three acts protect the rights of those with disabilities?

Answer 22

Disability discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005
Special Educational needs Act 2001

Question 23

Give examples of legislation which protects sexual rights

Answer 23

-Sexual offences Acts 1967 and 2003
-Civil Partnership Act 2005 (amended in 2019 to allow same-sex partnerships)
-Gender recognition Act 2004
Marriage Act (Same-sex) 2013

Question 24

Which piece of legislation brings together number of equality acts into one?

Answer 24

Equality Act 2010

Question 25

Who can pass laws in the UK?

Answer 25

Parliament

Question 26

What is the ‘official opposition’?

Answer 26

The largest party not in the government

Currently Labor

Question 27

What is the role of the opposition?

Answer 27

To hold the government to account and to oppose government on policies they disagree with

Question 28

What is the issue if a government holds a large majority?

Answer 28

Able to pass most of its policies

Question 29

What is a political party?

Answer 29

Group of people who share a common ideology and political beliefs and wish to win an election to carry out their ideas

Question 30

What are major National party’s in the Uk?

Answer 30

Conservative, Labor, Liberal Democrat, green

Question 31

Give two examples of regional UK partys.

Answer 31

Any from
-Scottish Nationalist
-Plaid Cymru (Welsh nationals)
-Democratic Unionist (Northern Ireland)
-Alliance Party
-Sinn Fein (NI, refuse to take seat in House of Commons

Question 32

What is the civil service?

Answer 32

People employed by the government to advise and carry out policies.

Question 33

Name the three core principles of the civil service

Answer 33

Impartial- serve the crown
Anonymity- not identified of associated with specific policies
Permeance- stay in posts when government leaves office and continue to serve

Question 34

The British constitution is described as……

Answer 34

Unwritten (no single written document, but there are constitutional laws and conventions)

Uncodified (range of documents containing aspects of constitutional arrangements which are unlinked or identified as constitutional)

Question 35

Give 2 advantages and disadvantages of having an unwritten and uncodified constitution

Answer 35

+
-easy to change constitutional law
-law at aspects individually

:(
-power given to the government
-when broken into pieces changes could undermine existing rights

Question 36

How has the nature of constitution allowed change?

Answer 36

Judiciary- Supreme Court ruled that the government could not close down parliament to hold an election

Devolution- increased variation of laws and powers of decision making

Citizens- use of referendum increased power of citizens to determine policy

Question 37

The UK has a ……… monarchy

Answer 37

Constitutional