ways in which citizens can influence government decision-making, including pressure groups Flashcards
Citizens can influence government decision-making through:
Voting in elections
Participating in protests
Engaging in public consultations
Signing Petitions
What happens if the government is seen to do well by voters?
Government more likely to be re-elected
Voter opinions can influence government elections by:
shaping policy decisions and party platforms.
The significance of petitions in influencing government decisions is:
They are a way for citizens to express their opinions and can lead to changes in policy.
What is an example of a successful petition leading to a change in law?
Finns Law
Consultations influence government decisions by:
Providing expert opinions and public feedback.
In recent years, what were the two biggest petitions in UK history?
Brexit referendum petition and Revoke Article 50 petition
The influence of the TIE pressure group led to a significant change in Scotland’s education system in 2021. What was this change?
Introduction of mandatory LGBTQ+ inclusive education
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament’s long-term protests have had a significant impact on the UK government’s stance on nuclear weapons.
False
Explain how consultation responses can be influential using the example of the Scottish Government.
Consultation responses can shape policy decisions by providing public opinion and expert insights.
What can delay in government response to consultations indicate?
The issue is not a priority
What is a potential reason for the government to ignore a petition?
The supporters are not likely to vote for the government
What was the outcome of Marcus Rashford’s petition?
The government introduced more food support for poorer students
What is a pressure group?
A collection of citizens who come together to influence change
What did Surfers Against Sewage achieve?
A bottle deposit scheme in Scotland - Remember Westminster then overruled this
What is a reason a pressure group might fail to influence the government?
The issue is against government policy
What did the UK government announce in 2021 regarding nuclear weapons despite CNDs 40 plus years of protesting?
Plans to increase nuclear weapons
What is a potential downside of government consultations?
They can be delayed indefinitely
Why might a government choose to ignore a consultation?
The government had already decided on the issue
What can increase the influence of a petition?
The number of signatures
What is a characteristic of an insider pressure group?
They work closely with the government
What is a characteristic of an outsider pressure group?
They rely on public campaigns
What is the role of media attention in the effectiveness of a petition?
It increases the petition’s influence
Why might a government be considerate of how they come across in the media?
To gain electoral approval
What is a government consultation?
A gathering of citizen views on a proposed change
What is a petition?
A statement or demand signed by citizens
What was a result of Extinction Rebellion’s protests?
The government declared a climate emergency
What can happen if a government is seen to do badly by voters?
A new party is likely to win the election
What is a risk of rejecting or ignoring a petition?
It could result in reputational damage
What was the outcome of the UK Government’s consultation on electronic voting for disabled people?
The proposal was rejected after a year
Why might the government seek the views of pressure groups?
To gain expertise on proposed changes
What was the outcome of the Scottish Government’s consultation on wildlife penalties?
The proposal became law in 2020
What does lobbying involve?
Meeting directly with government members
What is a common theme in the methods used by pressure groups?
They rely on public support and government response
