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72 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is a democracy?
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A country that is run by the people, for the people. The citizens of the country have their say in what goes on in a country. Democracies normally are very good at insuring people have their rights; they're normally quite rich and poverty is low. MEDC's.
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What is a representative democracy?
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This is where citizens elect in their representatives, and these representatives put forward views of their constituency. These representatives are MP's and MEP's; they help to make laws.
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Give 3 examples of democratic countries.
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- England
- Germany - USA - France - Ireland |
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What are elections? How do they work?
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Elections are when the citizens vote for a particular MP or political party. Elections are free, and in a democracy, vital for insuring the citizens get their say. You would go to your local town hall and cast your vote, then put it in a ballot box. The votes are then counted.
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What rights do you have in a democracy? Give examples.
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In a deomcracy, you should have every human right. The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. In the UK, because of the Human Rights Act, every citizen is entitled to every right. These rights include: the right to life, the right to free speach, the right to assembly, the right to a private life, the right not to be tortured, the right to a religion.
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What is a dictatorship?
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A country that is run by an individual, or a small group of people, that does not have the interest of the public at heart. They're normally run by force and violence, and the country is normally very poor and in poverty. Citzens basic human rights are normally abused. LEDC's.
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Give 3 examples of countries with dictatorships.
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- Nazi Germany
- Saudi Arabia - Libya - North Korea - Zimbabwe |
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What services do councils and government provide?
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Recycling bins, streetlights, fixing roads, local parks, youth clubs, getting rid of graffiti, clearing up rubbish, schools, hospitals ect.
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How do government and councils pay for services?
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Through taxes. eg. improvement of roads would be paid for through road tax.
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Why are dictatorships worse than democracies?
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In dictatorships, human rights are often abused, and people are treated like animals. People are usually killed or inprisoned if they speak out against the government, harsh punishments are put in place and there's normally massive poverty and discrimination against women. Citizenships don't have the opportunity to have an input to how their country is run, as the dictators aren't elected in but normally by pushing themselves in by force.
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What are the roles of an MP?
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- To scrutinise the government
- To represent their constituency and make sure their points and ideas are put forward - Meeting people in their community - Making and voting on new laws |
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What is a minister?
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A minister is someone who is a head of a government department, eg. the minister of education, Michael Gove.
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What are political parties?
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An organization that is trying to gain political power. They have manifestos which is a public declaration of policy and aims. Eg. Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, UKIP.
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What is the role of government?
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The role of government is to run the country. It has responsibility for developing and enforce policy.
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What is the role of parliment?
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The role of parliment is to debate, change and make laws as well as scrutinising the government.
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How are laws made?
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Anyone can come up with an idea for a law. The first ideas are put onto green paper and the public can put forward their ideas. The bill will then go onto white paper and go before parliment. The white paper is read aloud in each house, and after the bill is amended, it is read again. The bill may be 'ping-ponged' between houses. The final version is voted on by MP's, and then it goes for the queen to sign. Then it is a law.
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What is a referendum? Give an example.
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A referendum is a single 'yes or no' vote on a certain topic by the electorate. It is made for a quick decision. Eg. Scottish independance referendum is coming up in September 2014.
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Define devolution. Give an example.
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The transfer of power to a lower level. eg. The main parlimentory place, House of Lords/Commons to the Welsh or Scottish assembly.
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What is a pressure group? Give examples.
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A organisation of people that all believe in a certain idea or topic. They try to influence the public and government to make a change. eg. Greenpeace, Amnesty International.
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How do pressure groups try to influence governments?
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They can use many methods like lobbying, posters, flyers, social media. They could also use more violent and extreme methods such as marches, protests, scaling buildings, rioting, ect.
eg. Greenpeace scaled the Didcot power station in protest of climate change and how Tony Blair was contributing. |
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What is lobbying?
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Trying to influence a certain MP or group of people to make a change or agree with your point of view. Anyone can lobby an MP.
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How do people identify themselves?
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Age, race, religion, ethnic group, sex. You could also identify yourself with the type of music you listen too, the type of clothes you wear, the people who you socialise with.
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How is the UK culturally diverse?
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Lots of different races and religions in once place. The UK is culturally diverse because of the EU. People in the EU are free to move between countries in the hope of better opportunities. This is important as it brings new cultures and foods, however there is a higher chance of racial discrimination.
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Why have people migrated to the UK?
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In hope of a new life, new opportunities, more jobs, the NHS, benifits, to escape from war, to get a better education ect. We are also a democracy, so we have a better record of Human Rights and people will feel safe in the UK.
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What is an asylum seeker? Refugee? Economic migrant?
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An asylum seeker is a person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another.
A refugee someone who is forced to leave their country in order to escape war or natural disaster. An economic migrant is someone who is looking to improve their quality of life. |
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Problems of immigration to the UK?
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Open to racial hate, overpopulation and crowding, not enough jobs, not enough houses, increased poverty, more debt for the country, strain on government resources such as schools and hospitals.
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Advantages of immigration to the UK?
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More culturally diverse, new opportuities to learn from each other and become more accepting, more foods, new skills, new jobs, to improve peoples quality of life to ensure that everyone is equal and respected.
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What is community cohesion?
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Strong and positive relationships that are developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods. There is reduced crime and a sense of belonging.
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Examples of good community cohesion.
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People looking out for one another, neighbours talking, school faits, local fairs, lack of crime ect.
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Examples of bad community cohesion.
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High levels of crime, people rarely talk, neighbours don't know each other, members of society are scared of each other ect.
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What is the Equality Act 2010?
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The Equality Act 2010 is a law in the UK which states that you can not discriminate against someone because of their age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion. It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of these things.
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Organisations that could help with discriminative issues?
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Citizens advice bureau, a solicitor, the police.
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Definition of the EU. What's the purpose?
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Partnership of member countries in Europe. They promote peace and security, economic and social progress and to strengthen the Human Rights of its members.
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Definition of the UN. What's the purpose?
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International organisation of independent states. Maintain international peace and security, develop friendly links amongst nations, to fight poverty and protect Human Rights.
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Definition of the Commonwealth. What's the purpose?
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International organisation consisting of the UK with states that were a part of the British Empire. Promotes development, Human Rights and equality for all, cultural exchanges amongst countries with links to the UK.
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Advantages of the EU.
(5 things) |
- Citizens are allowed to work, travel and live anywhere in the EU
- All products have to reach certain safety standards and be of a decent quality - Free trade between countries – single market - Poorer countries receive financially help to help them grow - Countries are more secure and less likely to go to war with each other |
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Disadvantages of the EU.
(5 things) |
- When EU make laws, the public can do very little about it
- Countries begin to lose their identity - It is very expensive to be a part of it - People feel countries should be in charge of their own decisions - EU laws are unworkable, all countries are different. |
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Advantages of the UN.
(6 things) |
- Global issues require global cooperation
- Huge sums of money can be pooled together - Promotes peace and prevents war - Makes sure countries aren’t producing nuclear weapons - Promotes human rights around the world - Provide medical care to millions around the world |
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Disadvantages of the UN.
(5 things) |
- Fails to have the force of the law
- Highly expensive, relies on donations - Some countries pay more than others - Effects can be slow, and many ideas often fail, eg. Millennium Development Goals - Countries often ignore UN requests, eg. North Korea has continued to make nuclear weapons |
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Advantages of Commonwealth.
(4 things) |
- Promotes community cohesion
- Promotes cultural diversity - Improved trade links - Discusses human rights, education and other issues which might be solved in working in partnership - Organises events that bring people together, such as the Commonwealth Games. |
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Disadvantages of Commonwealth.
(4 things) |
- Very little power politically, socially and economically
- Britain contributes the most funding - People aren’t aware of the Commonwealth and what it does - Some countries in the Commonwealth don’t want links to Britain as we took their countries by force and exploited them |
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Why can only some countries join the EU?
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Only European countries can join. They have to have a good Human Rights record, they have to take the Euro as its currency, have the consent of the rest of the EU states, and it must be a democracy.
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What are the Millennium Development Goals?
(8) |
Stop extreme poverty, primary education for all, gender equality, reduce child death, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, global partnership for development
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Examples of countries in the EU.
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England, France, Germany, Spain, Poland.
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Examples of countries in the UN.
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England, China, France, Spain, Zimbabwe.
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Examples of countries in the Commonwealth.
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England, Australia, Uganda, New Zealand, India.
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What is criminal law? What courts are used in criminal law?
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The body of law that relates to crime, its concerned with the punishment of offenders.
Courts used are Magistrates and Crown court. |
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Where do all criminal cases start?
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Magistrates court, and then if they're seen as more serious, they go to crown court.
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What is magistrates court?
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95% of criminal cases.
Members of the community, they decide if the defendant is guilt and decide on their sentencing. Cases range from minor traffic to serious crime. |
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What is crown court?
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5% of all criminal cases.
Judge and a jury. Jury decide if the defendant is guilty and the judge decides on a sentence. Cases like murder and rape. |
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How do you make a law?
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Anyone can suggest a bill. The bill is drafted onto green paper, and the public can have their say. Its then re-drafted onto white paper and sent to the House of Commons. Its then read and amended and sent to the House of Lords. It is then read and amended and passed back to the House of Commons. This is the 'ping pong' effect. Once both houses agree, it's sent for royal assent.
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What is civil law? What courts are used in civil law?
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Sorts out disagreements between people when the state is not directly involved.
County courts. |
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What is country court?
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The majority of civil cases come here. There is a judge, or a panel of judges.
It's usually about claiming compensation or paying damages. There are disputes over contracts on both employee and employer sides. Family matters are also dealt with here, eg. divorces. |
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What age is criminal responsibility?
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10.
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What responsibilities do you have when giving evidence?
(3) |
You can not lie under oath, you must tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the evidence must be real and relevant.
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Name a pressure group that protect Human Rights?
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Amnesty international.
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What are conflicting Human Rights?
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When one Human Right disagrees with another. They conflict as one can be seen as 'more important' than the other.
eg. Ryan Giggs. He had an affair and the press found out. He took out a super-injunction as he thought his 'Right to privacy' was more important than 'Freedom of speech' - the judge agreed with him. However it was leaked on Twitter anyway. |
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What is the Human Rights Act 1998?
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The declaration of Human Rights and European commission of Human Rights did not have the law behind it, so it was not enforceable. In 1998, the UK parliament passed the Human Rights Act which protects the Human Rights of British Citizens under British Law.
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Why are rights important?
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Because it means that we all have equal opportunities, we can all be treated the same, people are not victimized or discriminated against, and also it promotes community cohesion.
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What is free press?
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Media where politicians do not control what can be spoken or written. Its an important part of a democracy and Human Rights.
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What is the media?
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A way of communicating with people using things like newspapers, TV, internet, books, cinema, radio and magazines.
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What is private ownership of the media?
Why is it sometimes a bad thing? |
Owned by an individual. eg. Rupert Murdock.
Its bad because it can lead to a bias view which may influence our political decisions. This leads to a lot of politicians trying to impress media owners. It also leads us to believe if we're actually being told the whole truth. |
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What is state ownership of the media?
Why is it sometimes a bad thing? |
Funded by the taxpayer, meaning that its independent from the government and reports fairly and accurately, BBC.
The Chinese government have full control and censor out certain things so you don't know the whole truth. |
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Problems with the media.
(5) |
Censorship, control/power, influencing, brainwashing, discrimination such as islamaphobia.
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Good things about the media.
(3) |
A way of communication, able to get major news out to a lot of people, able to get out safety information.
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How to pressure groups use the media?
(3) |
To gain more support from the public, to get some brand awareness, persuade people to help the cause.
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Definition of Regulations of the media.
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Rules that the media have to follow so they don't offend, discriminate, lie or mislead.
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What are organisations that regulate the media?
(3) |
OFCOM
BBC Trust Press complaints commission |
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How do dictators use the media?
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China use it to censor some stories from the internet so the citizens can not know what is happening outside of the country.
North Korea uses it so show how great the country is and hide the truth about how many people are being killed. |
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Examples of people who have had to fight for their rights in history.
(4) |
Suffragettes, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Gandhi.
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What is the European Convention of Human Rights?
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An international agreement between all European Union countries. This is enforceable by law. Its based on the Declaration of Human Rights.
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What is International Humanitarian Law?
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Protects rights in conflict. Its a set of rules that relegate how wars are fought in order to limit the amount of suffering and destruction they cause.
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