Theme D Flashcards
What does democracy mean?
Rule by the people
List 4 ways people can participate in democracy.
- Politics 2. Local community 3. Wider community 4. Serving in society
Give an example of how you can participate in politics.
By voting or campaigning on an issue
Give an example of how you can participate in the local community.
By volunteering for local charities
Give an example of how you can participate in the wider community.
Helping charities fight for justice / equality (Amnesty International)
Give an example of how you can serve society.
E.g. being a magistrate
List 4 barriers for participation in democracy.
- Busy lives 2. Apathy (lack of interest) 3. Lack of awareness 4. Worry about the process
Give an example of how a busy life is a barrier to participate in democracy.
Working long hours or lack of childcare.
Give an example of how apathy is a barrier to participate in democracy.
They think there’s no point or it doesn’t make a difference
Give an example of how a lack of awareness is a barrier to participate in democracy.
They can’t make an informed decision to vote because they don’t know a lot about the political parties.
What is a direct action?
When people attempt to achieve their goals themselves.
List 6 examples of a direct action.
- Campaign - March - Demonstrations - Protests - Boycott companies - Go on strike
What is an indirect action?
When people try to influence politicians to act for them.
List 5 examples of a indirect action.
- Join a political party - Vote in elections / referendums - Stand for election as a councillor or MP - Lobby politicians - Join a pressure group
What is lobbying?
Seeking to influence (a politician or public official) on an issue.
What is a pressure group?
A group that tries to influence public policy in the interest of a particular cause.
What do both direct and indirect action do? (2)
- Contribute to the political process - Hold those in power to account
Why do people contribute to the wider public? (3)
Ambition - making a career in politics or developing skills
Religion / Culture - belief it’s their duty to help others
Personal experience - their parents / family already volunteer
What are 6 possible solutions to improve voter engagement?
- Making voting compulsory. 2. Increase face to face meetings 3. Improve education for young people. 4. Change FPTP to PR so every vote counts. 5. Allow voting across the weekend. 6. Place polling stations at work or stores.
What’s an advantage of digital democracy?
More accessible
What’s a disadvantage of digital democracy?
Very tight security is needed to prevent fraud or hacking. E.g. USA
How can political parties increase participation though social media? (3)
- Messages target particular voters e.g. tiktok for younger. -Likes and shares spread the party’s message. - Helps parties to direct their campaigns through picking up important issues.
What’s bad about…
How can political parties increase participation though social media? (2)
- MPs need to be careful with what they post. - Concerns about fake news
What are 5 democratic features?
- Free and fair elections. 2. Government checks and balances. 3. Citizen inclusion in politics. 4. Citizen support for the government. 5. Freedom of expression for citizens.
Which is the most democratic country?
Norway
What’s the least democratic country?
North Korea
Differences between democratic system and non - democratic system (3)
Most people can vote. VS No genuine elections, very fake. Wide variety of political parties VS only one party. Freedom of expression VS citiicism leads to a prison camp.
What are examples of public institutions?
Schools, unis, libraries, hospitals and the courts.
What are examples of public services?
Police, fire and ambulance
How are public institutions and services funded?
Income tax and national insurance.
How are public institutions and services staffed?
Paid workers
What do charities and volunteers do?
Support causes and are non profits. Raise awareness and raise funds to improve conditions, eliminate disease or create social change.
What are interest groups?
Share a common idea and promote their ideas.
What are pressure groups?
They are a type of interest group who puts pressure on the government to adapt policies.
What does a trade union do?
Gives workers a voice.
What are some examples of what trade unions do? (3)
- Protect workers rights and campaign to improve pay and conditions. 2. They use collective bargaining to negotiate with employers. 3. They can represent a worker at a tribunal if there’s a dispute with the employer.
What are some examples of interest and pressure groups? (3)
AI, Oxfam, NSPCC
What is an example of a national campaign and a local campaign?
Open Britain and Hands of HRI
What did open Britain aim to do?
Campaign against brexit as it believed it would damage the British economy.
What did hands of HRI do?
Aim to stop the closure of Huddersfield Royal infirmary. It succeeded and the hospital didn’t close!!!
What are some rights in the workplace? (4)
- Contract of employment - Minimum wage - Protection from discrimination - Health and safety
What is article 19 of udhr?
Freedom of expression
What are some examples of the media?
Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, books, social media
Why might the government have to limit freedom?
To protect national security or to maintain public order
Why is accurate reporting crucial in a democracy?
So the citizens are well informed
What’s the difference between the media informing and influencing the public?
Inform - accurately reporting facts. Influences - reporting opinions as if accepted facts.
What are two roles of the media?
To investigate issues and expose problems in the public’s interest. To scrutinise the government and those in power, holding them accountable.
What is the MP’s expenses claim scandal?
2009 - MPs were claiming expensing for unnecessary things like a duck house.
What is the freedom of information act 2000?
Gives media the right to access a lot of government and local authority information.
What is libel?
A published false statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation; a written defamation.
What is BBC’s duty?
To be impartial
What is the Leverson Inquiry?
The media hacked missing student, Millie dowler’s phone in 2002 which disrupted the investigation.
Why might censorship occur?
Protect national security e.g. keeping sensitive info from enemies e.g. military operation. To protect people from harmful and offensive content e.g. age rated films, anonymous children on courts.
What is a spin doctor?
Someone who tries to influence journalists with interpretations of events that are favorable to a particular candidate
What is public opinion?
The views people hold on issues that affect their lives and community.
What can influence public opinion?
World and local events, friends, family, the media
How can you research public opinion?
Opinion polls, surveys and focus groups
How can groups attract the media?
Protests, stunts and demonstrations
How can individuals attract the media?
Write directly to newspapers or magazines or start a campaign.
What are some online methods to attract the media?
Change.org, signing persmissions
What are the aims of the European Union?
To encourage greater cooperation on issues such as: peace, trade, security, the environment.
When was the EU set up?
Set up as part of the 1951 European coal and steel community
When was the UK in the EU?
1973-2016
What is the aim of the Council of Europe?
To promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law
When was the Council of Europe set up?
1949, after the destruction of WW2
What are some facts about the EU? (2)
- EU law must be put in place in member countries. 2. UK paid £13 billion in contributions but only got £4.1 billion back
What are some facts about the Council of Europe? (3)
- Cannot make binding law but can enforce international agreements between members. 2. Developed ECHR 3. UK contributed £32.8 million in 2018.
What are some benefits of being in the EU? (4)
- Free trade area so no expensive border checks. 2. Market of over 500 million people. 3. Cooperation on fighting, crime, polic and tackling terrorism. 4. People who are citizens can work, live and study anywhere.
What are some obligations of being in the EU? (4)
- Preferential treatment with trading. 2. Members have to pay - £13 billion for UK in 2017. 3. EU laws must be accepted. 4. People can live / work / study anywhere.
What’s the impact of Brexit?
The government could remove consumer rights protections, environmental protections and control immigration differently.
Why and when was the UN set up?
1945, after WW2 to avoid war and solve global problems through communication.
How many members does UN have?
193
When did the UK join the UN?
October 1945, one of the 5 original
What are the 3 agencies in the UN and what do they do?
Human rights council - uphold HR. World good programme - gives urgent humanitarian aid to people in disaster areas. UNICEF - works to help children globally.
What is the function of the UN?
Maintain international peace and security, protect HR, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development and uphold international law.
When and why was NATO set up?
1949, to defend Western Europe against Soviet aggression.
What’s NATOs aim?
To guarantee freedom and security of members by military and political means. solves problems through negotiation and force if needed.
Where has NATO been busy?
Afghanistan and Iraq, in response to terrorism and WMD
What is the commonwealth made up of?
53 members, once part of British Empire
Who is the head of the commonwealth?
The monarch
What was the aim of the commonwealth?
To promote economic social and sustainable develop, support democracy and peace, and protect the environment.
What is the World Trade Organisation?
Deals with trade between countries.
How many members of WTO?
164
When was WTO set up?
1995
What are the aims of the WTO?
Make trade more free, open and transparent in an atmosphere of trust.
What are the benefits of the UN? (3)
- Count on assistance from other countries if there was a disaster. 2. Financial help from UN World Bank agency. 3. Citizens HR protected.
What are the benefits of NATO? (2)
- Military shares knowledge. 2. Improves security of UK as relying on other countries for help.
What are the benefits of the Commonwealth? (3)
- Strong relations with other countries. 2. Shared goals e.g. climate change. 3. Rely on support if attacked.
What are the benefits of WTO? (3)
- Larger market for UK goods. 2. Resolves trade disputes. 3. Trade is smoother as people stick to the rules.
What are the commitments of UN? (2)
- UK pays a membership - 5th largest funder. 2. Contributes troops for peacekeeping missions.
What are the commitments of NATO? (2)
- Committed to sending troops - an attack on one is an attack on all. 2. Spends 2% of budget on NATO.
What are the commitments of the Commonwealth? (1)
- Pays for other countries e.g. 500 million to tackle malaria.
What are the commitments of WTO? (2)
- No barriers to trade. 2. Abide by rules.
