UK POLITICS 1

Question 1

Features of Representative democracy ?(7)

Answer 1

1) elections (every 5 years) to elect representatives
2) civil liberties protected
3) elections contested by numerous parties
4) constitutional checks exist
5) an assembly exists reflecting the make up of society (MP’s)
6) pressure groups have freedom
7) independent judiciary

Question 2

advantages? (4) representative

Answer 2

1) professionals make complex decisions
2) minority views considered and upheld
3) politicians help to account
4) most practical form

Question 3

disadvantages? (4) representative

Answer 3

1) citizens disengaged
2) tight controls on parties politicians lack independence
3) skilled and swerve accountability
4) politicians open to corruption and self-interest

Question 4

advantages of direct? (4)

Answer 4

1) everyone in society participates
2) people directly make decisions in their interest
3) all citizens votes are equal
4) purest form of democracy

Question 5

disadvantages of direct ?(4)

Answer 5

1) impractical
2) citizens become apathetic when asked to participate to much
3) people will vote in own interest not societies
4) no minority voices heard(tyranny of majority)

Question 6

what are the 6 features of healthy democracy ?

Answer 6

elections 
representation
citizens rights 
pressure groups 
limited government 
independent judiciary

Question 7

what are 3 features to consider when talking about a participation crisis?

Answer 7

falling participation and evidence
positive participation and increasing levels
anti-politics

Question 8

what are 3 reform to improve UK democracy?

what are 3 other possible reforms ?

Answer 8

1) compulsory voting
2) lower the voting age
3) more e-democracy

1) greater use of referenda
2) change electoral system
3) constitutional reform

Question 9

what are interest groups?

cause groups?

Answer 9

section of society e.g. teachers

open membership, benefit wider society e.g. green peace

Question 10

what would corporations want to achieve?

think tanks?

Answer 10

to legislate or not by lobbying gov on issues that concern them e.g. Uber

research into changing political policies e.g. centre for social justice

Question 11

what is civil disobedience ?

seen with what type of pressure group typically?

Answer 11

refusal to obey certain laws

outsider (direct action)

Question 12

strengths of pressure groups?(6)

Answer 12

• participate in political processes
• pluralist democracy
• balance tyranny of majority
• expert knowledge
• limit gov power
• educate and inform electorate

Question 13

weaknesses to pressure groups?(5)

Answer 13

• can be divisive and selfish can dominate issues
• can stop things which others feel are needed (HS2)
• not accountable to public
• reduce power of gov
• difficult to mange and govern ‘hyper-pluralism’

Question 14

how did the Human Rights Act give us positive rights?

Answer 14

because before 1998 the UK only had negative rights i.e. murder illegal meaning we had a right to life.

Question 15

Freedom of information Act (2000)?

The Equality Act (2010)?

Answer 15

gives citizens the ‘right to know’ BUT has major exceptions for national security

combined into legislation making it illegal to discriminate in 9 areas.

Question 16

How are rights protected in the UK?(3)

Answer 16

1) judicial review (review of ministers to make sure their decisions are lawful)
2) common law (rules established through customs)
3) Statue law (takes precedence over common law)

Question 17

What are individual rights? (4)

Answer 17

right to privacy
freedom of expression
right to protest
freedom of assembly

Question 18

what are collective rights?(4)

Answer 18

freedom of press
upholding religious tolerance
right to peaceful process
security of the nation

Question 19

what are civil liberties ? why are these less protected in the UK?

what significance does the Human Rights Act of 1998 being incorporated into ECHR into UK law?

Answer 19

rights that citizens have in democracy

because they are not enshrined in the Bill of Rights but ours a part of law can be changed by gov

because it means citizens can challenge laws in UK laws ‘declaration of incompatibility’

Question 20

Rights are protected in the UK ?(4)

Answer 20

• HRA means rights clear and detailed
• rights-based culture
• judiciary active in defending rights
• pressure groups stop gov undermining rights

Question 21

Rights not protected in the UK?(4)

Answer 21

• gov restrict to protect from terrorism
• right to protest near parliament restricted
• gov has ‘control orders’ restrict movement
• media undermines portraying HRA to restrict

Question 22

what are 5 possible threats to civil liberties in the UK?

Answer 22

surveillance
stop and search
freedom of expression
political demonstrations 
anti-terrorism