Power And Influence

Question 1

opportunities for participation

Answer 1

Politics by voting or campaigning on a local, national or global issue

The local community by volunteering for local charities

Serving in society such as a magistrate

Question 2

barriers to participation

Answer 2

Busy lives or lack of time from working long hours or childcare

A lack of interest (apathy) about politics, feeling there is no point as it makes no difference

A lack of awareness and education on how to exercise power and influence

Worry about process or the impact of their position in society on others

Question 3

Examples of direct citizenship action

Answer 3

Join or start a campaign, March, demonstration, protest

Boycott companies or countries in protest of there actions or policies, or go on strike

Question 4

Examples of indirect citizenship action

Answer 4

Join a political party, vote in elections and referendums , stand for election as a councillor or mp

Lobby politician’s or join a pressure group

Question 5

Improving voter engagement

Answer 5

Make voting compulsory with fines for those who fail to vote

Increase face to face meetings between candidates and voters

Improve citizenship education for young people

Place polling stations at work or stores so it is convenient to vote

Question 6

Digital democracy

Answer 6

Digital democracy involves the use of online technology to engage voters with election campaigns and make them more likely to vote

Voting at home or on a phone is easier and more accessible than going to polling station

E- voting could improve voter engagement

Question 7

Democratic features

Answer 7

Free and fair elections

Government checks and balances

Citizen support for the government

Freedom of expression

Question 8

Public institution and services

Answer 8

Funded by the state through people’s income tax and national insurance

Staffed by payed workers

Government offers them to support citizens in there everyday lives for example the NHS ensures all citizens have access to free healthcare

Question 9

Charities and voluntary groups

Answer 9

They work to support cause or groups in society and are non for profit making

They aim to raise awareness and funds for their cause in order to improve conditions eliminate diseases or create social change

Question 10

Interest and pressure groups

Answer 10

Thousands of pressure groups represent a huge number of causes that give people a voice, helping the government to get a better idea of public opinion

Many are voluntary organisations thought some do have payed staff

Charities often act as pressure groups for a cause in their area of focus

They use direct or indirect methods to try and change government policy, influence public opinion, or change the way that private companies operate

They hold the government to account by spreading power and influence in society

Question 11

Trade unions

Answer 11

Trade unions act on behalf of workers such as teachers , doctors, train drivers and shop workers

They help to protect workers rights and campaign to improve pay and conditions

They use collective bargaining to negotiate with employers on behalf of members

They can represent a worker at a tribunal if there is a dispute with the employer

Question 12

Freedom of expression

Answer 12

Citizens know what is happening in society and make informed voting decisions

Citizens can hold the powerful to account

Question 13

Influencing and reporting

Answer 13

Informs the public accurately through reporting facts

Influences the public about what to think through reporting opinions

Question 14

Investigating and scrutinising

Answer 14

To investigate issues and expose problems that are in the public interest

To scrutinise the government and those in power, holding them accountable

Question 15

Rights of the media

Answer 15

Freedom of expression

The media can criticise governments without fear of being prosecuted

The media can access a lot of government and local authority information

The media can check that politicians and companies are not breaking the law or acting unethically

Question 16

Accuracy and respect in reporting

Answer 16

A newspaper can be sued for the civil offence of libel if they write untrue things about people

People can sue the media for the civil offence of slander if the media says untrue things about them

Question 17

Role of a press regulator

Answer 17

The BBC is governed by a royal charter, it has a responsibility to be impartial and a duty to inform, educate and entertain

Question 18

Why censorship may occur

Answer 18

To protect national security, keeping sensitive information from enemies

To protect people from harmful and offensive content

Question 19

Influence through social media

Answer 19

Facebook likes and shares can help a message to spread widely

People regularly use their phones to access news and media

Many mp’s use blogs and social media profiles to promote their policies

Question 20

The European Union

Answer 20

Aims are to encourage greater cooperation on issues such as peace, security and social issues between member countries

Benefits of the eu is free trade which means countries can trade goods without going through expensive border checks

Drawbacks member states have to pay into the EU to fund all of its operations

Question 21

The United Nations

Answer 21

It is an international organisation that was set up by the international community in 1945 after ww2 to avoid wars and solve global problems

Benefits of the un is that the uk can count on assistance from other members in the event of a disaster

Drawbacks are the uk has to pay a membership fee

Question 22

The commonwealth

Answer 22

It is made up of countries once part of the British empire

It aims to promote economic, social and sustainable development, support democracy and peace, and protect the environment

Benefits are the uk can rent on support from other members if attacked or if a disaster occurs

Drawback is the uk must pay a lot of money into the commonwealth

Question 23

World trade organisation

Answer 23

It’s aims are to make trade more free , open and transparent, so that all the members can do business In an atmosphere of trust

Benefits of the world trade organisation is that trade is smoother and members know the rules and stick to them

Drawbacks are the uk cannot be biased in favour of uk companies

Question 24

NATO

Answer 24

Aims to guarantee freedom and security of members by military and political means and solve problems through negotiation with military back up if force is needed

Benefits are the the uk can work with other countries and improve the security of the uk

A drawback is the uk must spend 2% of its budget funding nato

Question 25

Non governmental organisations

Answer 25

NGOs protect people at risk and support development

They might be charities such as Oxfam or save the children

Have experience in human rights, disaster and crisis relief

Have clear humanitarian aims to help those in need without benefit in return

Non for profit making and raise funds from appeals to fund their activities

Can work with governments who might provide funding

Do not take sides in conflicts

Question 26

Mediation

Answer 26

A neutral third party helps the sides discuss the issues

All sides must be involved and listened to otherwise mediation won’t work

Question 27

Sanctions

Answer 27

Not letting a country sell goods to other countries , thus causing economic hurt to effect change

A ban on selling military equipment to a country

Expelling the country’s diplomats from other countries

Question 28

Force

Answer 28

Direct intervention using the military

Supporting other fights in the conflict zone with equipment and expertise

Setting up and enforcing a no fly zone for another countries planes