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116 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the definition of politics? |
The process by which individuals and groups, (with divergent interests and values) make collective decisions. |
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What are the 2 key ways in which politics is conducted? |
Democracy Dictatorship |
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What is the definition of authority? |
The right to take a particular course of action. |
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What is power and how is it subdivided? |
The ability to do something or to make or to make something happen. -absolute power -legitimate power -coercive power |
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What is the definition of ‘the state’ and how has its role changed over the years? |
-A set of institutions that exercise authority over a political community within a territory. -Has shrunk in the last 30 years as some of its economic and social function has been contracted out to the private sector. |
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Give an example where politics can take place beyond the state? |
Civil society-trade unions/churches/businesses |
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What is meant by the term government? |
The activity or system of governing a political unit. (The set of institutions that exercise authority and make the rules of a political unit). |
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What is meant by the term executive? |
The branch of government responsible for the implementation of policy |
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What is meant by the term legislature? |
The branch of government responsible for passing laws. |
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What is meant by the term judiciary? |
The branch of government responsible for interpreting the law and deciding upon legal disputes. |
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What is meant by the term elective dictatorship? |
Where there is excessive concentration of power in the executive branch of government. |
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The Uk constitution is..... |
uncodified and can be easily amended. |
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The Westminster Model is a system of representative democracy that ensures..... |
...government is held accountable through elections- which are key to form political participation |
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What is the Westminster Model? |
The traditional way of understanding British politics and reflects the long-standing British experience of a string centralised government run by diciplined political parties. |
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What are 2 advantages of the Westminster model? |
-voters are presented with a clear choice between the governing party and the opposition party. -the rule of law defends basic civil liberties and ensures that power is not exercised arbitrarily. |
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What are 2 disadvantages of the Westminster model? |
- The concentration of power at the centre of the UK means that decisions are not taken close to the people. -There are limited opportunities for political participation. |
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What is democracy and how is it viewed in the modern world? |
Democracy is a system where power is held by ‘the people.’ In the modern world (mainly west) democracy is seen as the purest and the most effective way of ruling a state. |
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What type of democracy is illustrated by the 2016 EU referendum? |
Direct democracy |
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Why do some criticize the process of allowing the citizens to vote on the issue? |
Some argue that some some people who voted, voted based on emotion because they were unhappy with the government. Rather than understanding the issue. |
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What is meant by parliament democracy? |
A system where parliament stands at the highest form of authority. The executive branch will be drawn form and accountable to the people’s representative in parliament. |
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What is meant by a majoritarian democracy? |
A system whereby the majority of the population are the prime consideration of the government. E.g the Swiss government |
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What is meant by presidential democracy? |
A system where the executive branch will be elected from the legislative body and therefore is chosen by the people. E.g President Trump |
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What is a pluralist democracy? |
A system of government where there is competition between different groups who represent popular concerns to the government of the day. |
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How does government operate in a pluralist democracy? |
The power is widely and evenly distributed across society. Government remains neutral and makes decisions based on the merits of competing arguments. |
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What is the power like within a pluralist democracy? |
The power is widely and evenly distributed. |
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What are the pressure groups like in a pluralist democracy? |
There is a competition between the different pressure group. There are no elite groups. |
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What is meant by direct democracy? |
Where the citizens are directly involved in the decision making process. Direct democracies means that initiatives/referendums/petitions can be introduced. |
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What is meant by representative democracy? |
Where the people transfer the power to make decisions to an elected representative. The elected representatives will debate and discuss law on behalf of the people who have elected them. |
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What are 3 advantages of direct democracy? |
-pure form of democracy- people have more say and are involved in important decision making processes. -improves political education as the public are more informed on the government and political issues. -decisions have greater democratic legitimacy because they have the support of the majority of the people. |
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What are 3 disadvantages of direct democracy? |
-emotional response -Minority groups and their interests are overlooked based on the majority decisions. (Tyranny of the majority) -the size of most populations means it is not practical and slows down decision making processes. |
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What are 4 features that make the video duct of elections in the UK free and fair? |
-campaign spending limit -ban on campaigning during purdah. -equal making is broadcast times -the electoral commission oversee democracy and are free from party influence and independent. |
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What 3 things does the electoral commission do? |
-make sure political parties are registered -ensuring political parties comply with legal requirements -advising parliament and being consulted on changes to election laws and regulations. |
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What is the term universal suffrage and how is it applied in the UK? |
Everyone over the age of 18 who is not a prisoner or mentally incapable can all have one vote. |
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What is parliamentary sovereignty? |
The chosen representatives hold the ultimate power in making, amending and representing laws. |
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What are the members of the House of Lords undemocratic? |
Because they are not voted in |
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Why does the hereditary monarch undermine the concept of representative democracy? |
Because the people did not the elect the monarch |
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What does Democratic deficit mean? |
Term used to describe the undemocratic nature of institutions or procedures that are supposed to promote democracy. |
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What happened in 2015 which raised questions about the democratic legitimacy of the lords? |
House of Lords rejected a series of proposed cuts to tax credit system. Which was set out in the Conservative manifesto however the lords argued it was a bill of welfare and therefore they could reject it. (It was 289 votes to 272 votes - most of the people who voted against cuts were Labour and lib-dems who had just lost the election). |
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What is meant by the West Lothian Question? |
Scottish, Welsh, London and Northern Ireland MPs are all voting on the same thing but some of the issues don’t even effect them. |
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Why has the West Lothian Question become more of an issue since 2010? |
In 2005 the number of Scottish seats was reduced from 72 to 59. But since 2010 the vast majority of Scottish MPs have represented a different party from the one in government. |
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What did the conservatives propose in 2015 to solve the West Lothian Question? |
They wanted to give the English MPs the power to strike down legislation that would affect their constitutions. |
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Did EVEL (English votes for English Laws) full solve the West Lothian Question?
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No because it doesn’t address the issue of Scottish MPs striking down legislation which is supported by English MPs |
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Why is the UK voting system unrepresentative? |
Differences in concentration of support across UK means that the result of elections does not reflect the way of the public. E.g In 2015 UKIP won 13% of the vote but only received 1 seat. Whereas, SNP only got 2% of the national vote but received 56 seats. |
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What is the problem of the lack of entrenched rights within the UK voting system? |
Without a codified constitution, key rights can easily be over turned by government without effective redress through the redress judicial system. |
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What is the problem with the lack of meaningful choice in the UK voting system? |
Only 2 parties have a realistic chance of gaining power in Westminster. As a result many people tactically vote for 1 or 2 parties. |
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Why is the Electoral Commission not perfect? |
It is reactive rather than being proactive. E.g sanctions are put in place after the event meaning that a message has already had time to have an impact on people. |
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Why are citizen’s rights not always protected, |
Because depending on the government some of the citizen’s rights can be changed and reformed depending on the party of the day. |
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What are 2 advantages to representative/indirect democracy? |
-everyone is represented through a constituency MP. -new groups and parties can easily be created to take on new issues.
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What are 2 disadvantages of representative/ indirect democracy? |
-due to a variety of factors such as wealth, size and status competition between pressure groups is often unfair and elitist. -the electoral system leads to wasted votes and more of an unrepresentative outcome. |
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What is meant by the term The Franchise? |
The right to vote in elections |
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How is the franchise extended in the UK? |
Everyone over the ages of 18 can vote. |
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Prior to 1832 who had the to vote? |
White men who were property owners (middle+upper class) |
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What were the factors that led to the great reform act of 1832? |
Britain up-went a rapid economic change during the industrial revolution which resulted in a shift from rural land based economy to a more urban one. |
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What was the key change of the Great Reform Act 1832 and why was it not so great? |
Because still only 5.6% of the population could vote. |
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By 1900 how had life in the UK changed for women? |
-new jobs had arises so they warnt money and paid taxes. -changes to marriage laws granting divorce .
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By 1928 how had life in the UK changed for women? |
-women had provided invaluable work during the war. Proving themselves responsible and capable enough of maintaining a safe country. |
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What was the key change of the representation of the People Act 1918? |
It extended the franchise to all women of 30 and over as well as all men over the age of 21 were given the vote. |
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What were the changes that were made to the representation of the people act in 1928? |
The act extended the franchise to all citizens over 21 |
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What were the changes that were made to the representation of the people act in 1969? |
The cat extended the franchise to all citizens over the age of 18. |
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What were the changes that were made to the representation of the people act in 1969? |
The cat extended the franchise to all citizens over the age of 18. |
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What were the changes in the Representation of the people act in 1969? |
-18 year olds were increasingly more mature and better educated -18 year olds were becoming more financially stable and supporting themselves -radio and television meant that the younger generation were better informed than before |
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What happened in 1866 for extending the franchise to women? |
The first petition to give women the right to vote was presented to parliament. Following its failure to be extended a variety of movements were created. Eventually in 1867 they unified under the title National Union of Women Suffrage. (Also known as Suffragists). |
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What were the Suffragist’s methods and what were they designed to do? |
-were designed to apply pressure on the public and politicians. -activities were: -writing letters -giving educated lectures -organizing petitions -holding peaceful marches/protests |
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When and why was the Suffragette movement formed? |
1903-founded by Emmeline Pankhurst. It was formed because many saw that being peaceful didn’t get them anywhere and therefore decided to Firma a movement that was more proactive |
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What were the 4 aims of the Suffragette movement? |
-to secure equal voting rights -to have female only membership -to be a group of deeds and actions not words -to focus only on the issue of political equality and nothing else |
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What were the methods of the organistaion? |
-disrupting political party meetings -chasing themselves to public railings -smashing windows -attacking or fighting policing officers -burning buildings |
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Name 5 traditional methods of which you can do to participate in politics: |
-voting -joining a party/ pressure groups and helping it -petitions -marches/strikes -writing letters |
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Name 4 modern method of political participation: |
-e-petition -blogging -protesting in social media -organizing demonstrations on social media |
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Name 4 modern methods of political participation: |
-e-petition -blogging -protesting in social media -organizing demonstrations on social media |
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What is meant by the term slacktivisim? |
A term to describe lazy participation |
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Using stats make out a case that there is a crisis of electoral participation in the UK: |
-general election turnout from 1945-1992 was above 75% and reached an all time high of 84% in 1950. -in 1997 Blair won the election on a turnout of 71% which was half a million fewer votes than John Major’s ein in 1992. -in 2001 turnout hit an all time low of 59% -the highest turnout since then was in 2017 which was 69% |
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Using stats make out that there is a case of a crisis of political party membership in the UK: |
In 1950s Labour had more than a million members and the Conservatives had 2.8 million members. By 1983 3.8% of the population was a party member. There is now less than 1% of the UK population which is a party member |
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Using stats make out that there is a case of a crisis of political party membership in the UK: |
In 1950s Labour had more than a million members and the Conservatives had 2.8 million members. By 1983 3.8% of the population was a party member. There is now less than 1% of the UK population which is a party member |
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Which evidence can be presented to suggest there is not actually a crisis of political party membership in the UK? |
In 2015 Labour Party membership was growing rapidly due to meager membership fees and the buzz created by Corbyn’s leadership. |
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What is meant by corporatism? |
Refers to the process of incorporating groups into the workings of government |
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Why has corporatism declined and how does it political participation? |
Margret Thatcher distrusted Group activity and tended to favor individual and free market policies. She weakened the power of the trade union movement and reduced the role of key economic groups. This lead to a decline in the power of group activity as well as a decline in participation |
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Make out a brief case that pressure group membership has allowed political participation to flourish: |
The membership of pressure groups has increased rapidly. The largest group have memberships in the millions, proving that the public is trying to participate in a variety of different issues. |
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Make out a brief case that pressure group membership has allowed political participation to flourish: |
The membership of pressure groups has increased rapidly. The largest group have memberships in the millions, proving that the public is trying to participate in a variety of different issues. |
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What are pressure group and how do they differ from political parties? |
They are organizations that usually have a single interest or goal. Unlike political parties pressure groups do not look to gain power but to influence power. |
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What are 3 reasons why people join pressure groups? |
-representation -if they feel they are not being represented by main political parties and want to raid awareness. -personal beliefs -need-some people may join a group because they feel they have to either for job protection or because they see it as the only way to achieve a desired a good. |
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What are sectional pressure groups? |
Look after their own society, the members of the group will usually have the same occupation and shared interests. E.g BMA |
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What are cause/causal pressure groups? |
Campaign for a particular cause often are ones that doesn’t directly affect their members. Can come from a wide range of groups. Often aim to improve society in some way and can take the form of a charity. E.g RSPCA |
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What is the difference between an insider and an outsider pressure group status? |
Insider=They have a special relationship with the government and are given access to official decision makers. Outsider = don’t have close links with government and only resort to more extreme activities to generate attention from the press. |
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Explain 3 pressure group methods and their benefits: |
Back (Definition) |
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What are 7 things that allow a pressure group to succeed? |
-Organisation -Expertise -celebrity endorsement -wealth -large membership -insider status |
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What are 5 things which could lead to Pressure Groups failing? |
-the goal contradicts a government policy -the government can resist pressure from the group -countervailing forces, (pressure group may find itself campaigning gassing another, more powerful= PGs wins) -the goals of the PG goes against popular opinion -the group alienates public e.g Suffragettes |
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What are think tanks? |
A group that has been formed with the specific purpose of formulating and developing policy ideas. They offer alternative ideas based on academic research and advise government. |
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What are Lobbyists? |
Is process of people meeting with key political figures and trying to persuade them to support your aims. The lobbying industry can be very powerful. In the USA it is a $3.5 billion industry that directs approximately $3.5 trillion of government spending |
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What corporations? |
Groups that work closely with government in order to develop practical legislation. They exert pressure on Thai in charge to gain an advantage. Can also exert influence and pressure through controls of a key sector of the economy. However corporations in UK are tightly regulated in what they can and cannot do in terms of political campaigning. |
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Human right are.... |
Rights and liberties that all people are automatically entitled to. |
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What do we mean if we say human rights are fundamental? |
They are an essential part of life and can’t be removed for any reason |
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What do we mean if we say human rights are universal? |
They are applied to everyone equally regardless of any other considerations e.g race/gender |
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What do wer an if we say human rights are absolute? |
They can’t be compromised or diminished in a my way |
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What 2 distinct form ms do main UK citizens rights take? |
Fundamental right to do something / fundamental freedom from government oppression |
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How did The Human Rights Act 1998 change the way in which citizens rights in the UK were protected? |
It meant that ordinary citizens could seek legal redress in local courts if they felt their right were being infringed. |
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Explain the distinction between positive and negative rights? |
-positive rights are clearly given to a citizen usually in the form of a constitutional protection. -negative rights are specifically set out and only exist because of an absence of any law banning |
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What human right act was passed in 2000? |
The freedom of information act It was passed to improve transparency in public bodies. Requests can now be made to see information that relates to any public body as long as it does not compromise national security. E.g the MPs expenses scandal in 2009 came to light due to a freedom of information request. |
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What law was struck down in 2004? |
The law that prevented a gay partner from inheritance was struck down as discrimination under the Human Rights Acts. |
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What act was passed in 2010? |
The Equality Act. It was an attempt to simplify and codify a variety of Acts of parliament, conventions and regulations that existed in different forms and for different groups. The act consolidated all measures relating to equality based on gender, race, sexuality and disabilities to ensure equal and consistent rights provisions. |
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What did a court rule in 2011? |
A special court ruled that local councils cannot force a vulnerable adult to love in a care home as it undermines their right to a family life. |
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What happened in 2012 in relation to Abu Qatada? |
Home secretaries were repeatedly prevented from deporting Abu Qatada who was accused of having links to terrorists organisations on the basis that the evidence was obtained by torture, (which violated his human rights). |
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Briefly explain why the issue of rights has created conflict in recent years: |
There has been a growing number of conflicts between governments and the judiciary. This is because the Human Rights Act has made it easier for ordinary people to use the judicial system to challenge government measures. Also it has given judges more power to challenge government ministers. |
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Briefly explain why the issue of rights has created conflict in recent years: |
There has been a growing number of conflicts between governments and the judiciary. This is because the Human Rights Act has made it easier for ordinary people to use the judicial system to challenge government measures. Also it has given judges more power to challenge government ministers. |
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Name 10 things that could improve democracy in the UK: |
-compulsory voting -reform of the voting system -house of lord reform -greater recall of MPs -House of Commons Reform -reforming the devolved system -reform of the monarchy -codifying the constitution -using more e-democracy -extending the franchise to 16 year olds |
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Briefly explain why the issue of rights has created conflict in recent years: |
There has been a growing number of conflicts between governments and the judiciary. This is because the Human Rights Act has made it easier for ordinary people to use the judicial system to challenge government measures. Also it has given judges more power to challenge government ministers. |
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Name 10 things that could improve democracy in the UK: |
-compulsory voting -reform of the voting system -house of lord reform -greater recall of MPs -House of Commons Reform -reforming the devolved system -reform of the monarchy -codifying the constitution -using more e-democracy -extending the franchise to 16 year olds |
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Explain briefly how compulsory voting would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how reform of the voting system would work along with its advantages and disadvantages:
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Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how the House of Lords reform would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how greater recall of MPs would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how the House of Commons reform would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how reforming the devolved system would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how reform of the monarchy would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how codifying the constitution would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how using more e-democracy would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
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Explain briefly how extending the franchise to 16 year olds would work along with its advantages and disadvantages: |
Back (Definition) |
