UK Politics:Democracy & participation - Rights in context 2

Question 1

What are human rights?

Answer 1

Human rights, sometimes known as ‘natural rights’, are those rights and liberties that all people are automatically entitled to.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of human rights?

Answer 2

Human rights are absolute, universal, and fundamental.

Question 3

What does it mean for rights to be absolute?

Answer 3

Absolute rights cannot be compromised or diminished in any way.

Question 4

What does it mean for rights to be universal?

Answer 4

Universal rights are applied to everyone equally, regardless of any other considerations, such as race or gender.

Question 5

What does it mean for rights to be fundamental?

Answer 5

Fundamental rights are an essential part of life and cannot be removed for any reason.

Question 6

What are civil liberties?

Answer 6

Civil liberties are the basic freedoms that allow people to express themselves and live without fear of oppression or a police state.

Question 7

What are the two forms of rights and liberties?

Answer 7

They can be either a fundamental right to do something or a fundamental freedom from government oppression.

Question 8

What is the significance of the Human Rights Act 1998?

Answer 8

The Human Rights Act codified the European Convention on Human Rights into British law, providing greater legal protection for citizens.

Question 9

What are positive rights?

Answer 9

Positive rights are clearly given to a citizen, usually in the form of a constitutional protection.

Question 10

What are negative rights?

Answer 10

Negative rights are not explicitly set out and only exist because of an absence of any law banning them.

Question 11

What was the purpose of the Westminster Social Policy Forum in 2016?

Answer 11

The forum discussed how transgender equality issues are dealt with by various government departments and aimed to ensure legal rights for trans people.

Question 12

What are some key milestones in the development of rights in the UK?

Answer 12

Key milestones include the Magna Carta (1215), Bill of Rights (1689), European Convention on Human Rights (1953), and Human Rights Act (1998).

Question 13

What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?

Answer 13

The Freedom of Information Act ensures political transparency by allowing citizens to access non-security related information held by public institutions.

Question 14

What are civic responsibilities?

Answer 14

Civic responsibilities include respecting and obeying the law, paying taxes, and voting.

Question 15

What are some arguments in favor of individual rights?

Answer 15

Arguments include ensuring protection from government abuse and leading to civil responsibilities.

Question 16

What are some arguments against individual rights?

Answer 16

Arguments include that individual rights can come at the expense of wider society and may hinder effective government operation.

Question 17

What role do pressure groups play in rights protection?

Answer 17

Pressure groups raise awareness of threats to civil rights, promote the application of rights, and put pressure on the government to ensure rights are protected.

Question 18

What is compulsory voting?

Answer 18

Compulsory voting could be introduced to increase public participation, potentially involving fines for non-voters.

Question 19

What is the argument for reforming the voting system?

Answer 19

Reforming the voting system to a more proportional one would distribute votes more fairly and reduce the number of wasted votes.

Question 20

What is a potential consequence of repeated forced voting?

Answer 20

It could lead to public apathy and resentment.

Question 21

What was the outcome of the 2015 general election in the UK?

Answer 21

The Conservatives won a majority of MPs with 36% of the vote, UKIP gained 1 MP with nearly 4 million votes, and the SNP gained 53 seats with fewer than 1.5 million votes.

Question 22

What are some proposed voting systems to improve fairness?

Answer 22

Single transferable vote (STV) or closed party list.

Question 23

What issues could arise from changing to a proportional voting system?

Answer 23

They can be confusing, lead to extremist parties gaining seats, and weaken the link between representatives and their constituencies.

Question 24

What is one simple proposal for reforming the House of Lords?

Answer 24

To remove the remaining hereditary peers.

Question 25

What is a concern regarding an elected House of Lords?

Answer 25

It might mirror the House of Commons and lead to gridlock politics.

Question 26

What is the purpose of a recall system for MPs?

Answer 26

To make MPs more responsive to their constituents’ demands.

Question 27

What is ‘Burkean representation’?

Answer 27

The idea that MPs should use their judgement to make decisions in the best interests of their constituents, not just follow their wishes.

Question 28

What is the West Lothian Question?

Answer 28

It refers to the issue of Scottish representatives voting on matters that do not affect their constituents.

Question 29

What reform did the Conservative government introduce in 2015 regarding voting?

Answer 29

‘English votes for English laws’ (EVEL).

Question 30

What is a proposed reform for the monarchy?

Answer 30

Introducing an elected head of state.

Question 31

What is the argument for a codified constitution?

Answer 31

It would help entrench citizens’ rights and promote public education.

Question 32

What is e-democracy?

Answer 32

Any electronic or digital method that can lead to greater democracy.

Question 33

What are the advantages of online voting?

Answer 33

It would make it easier for people to vote.

It could be difficult to monitor and ensure free votes.

Question 34

What is a potential disadvantage of online questioning of ministers?

Answer 34

It could undermine the role of MPs.

Question 35

What was the outcome of the petition to ban Donald Trump from entering the UK?

Answer 35

A debate was held in Westminster Hall, but the power to ban him lies with the home secretary, making it largely symbolic.