Democracy and participation

What is representative democracy?

A system where the people are ruled by representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

What is direct democracy?

A system where people make decisions for themselves without representatives.

Name one method of direct democracy seen in the UK.

Petitions, Recall of MPs Act (2015), or Referendums.

What is the purpose of the Recall of MPs Act (2015)?

It allows constituents to trigger a by-election if enough signatures are collected on a petition.

What was the focus of the 2016 referendum in the UK?

Whether the UK should stay in or leave the European Union (Brexit).

What is one argument for reforming the UK political system?

Compulsory voting could enhance government legitimacy and public engagement.

What is a criticism of the first-past-the-post voting system?

It can create an imbalance between votes cast and seats gained, leaving some voters feeling unrepresented.

Why is the House of Lords considered undemocratic by some?

Members are not elected by the public, leading to a lack of direct accountability.

What does the 1998 Human Rights Act provide?

It aims to protect citizens' rights, but is criticized for inadequate protections due to the uncodified constitution.

What is one potential benefit of lowering the voting age to 16?

It could help educate young people about politics and align voting with other freedoms granted at that age.

What is a potential drawback of using more referenda in the UK?

It could divide public opinion, as seen after the 2016 EU referendum.

What does devolution refer to in the context of UK governance?

The transfer of powers from Westminster to regional governments like Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

How does an independent judiciary contribute to democracy?

It acts as a separate branch of government, ensuring checks and balances on political power.

What role does free media play in a democratic society?

It challenges government policy and holds MPs accountable for their actions.

What is one argument against compulsory voting?

It could lead to non-serious voting and be seen as a violation of individual freedom.

What is the significance of referendums in a democratic system?

They allow citizens to vote directly on important issues, enhancing legitimacy.

What is a potential issue with the uncodified constitution in the UK?

It allows rights to be changed by a simple Act of Parliament, leading to concerns about their protection.

What is political participation?

The act of affecting the political system, which occurs in everyday life through actions like voting, party membership, and social media engagement.

What are two reasons people might not vote?

Apathy, where people feel disenfranchised, and 'hapathy', where people are satisfied with the current system.

What does voter turnout refer to?

The proportion of the eligible population that actually votes in elections.

What was the average voter turnout from 1945 to 1997?

76%

What has been the average voter turnout since 1997?

Around 65%

How does turnout in European and local elections compare to general elections?

Turnout in European and local elections has been low, rarely exceeding 40%.

What was the voter turnout in the 2012 by-election in Middlesbrough?

26%

What was the voter turnout in the 2022 by-election in Southend West?

24%

What percentage of the electorate belonged to one of the three main parties in 2024?

1.6%

How many members did the Conservative Party have in the mid-1990s compared to 2024?

400,000 in the mid-1990s, 131,000 in 2024.

What was the Labour Party membership in the early 2000s compared to 2024?

190,000 in the early 2000s, 366,000 in 2024.

How many members did the Liberal Democrats have in the early 2000s compared to 2023?

70,000 in the early 2000s, 90,000 in 2023.

What is one form of eDemocracy?

Social media discussions on political topics.

What is the significance of ePetitions in eDemocracy?

They allow online participation; reaching 10,000 signatures gets a government response, and 100,000 signatures leads to parliamentary debate.

What was a successful ePetition launched by Aaron Pardo?

To make glue traps illegal in the UK, which led to the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022.

What were the local election turnout percentages from 2016 to 2023?

2016: 34%, 2017: 35%, 2022: 34%, 2023: 32%.

What was the turnout for the 2019 European elections?

37%

What impact did the 2009 expenses scandal have on public perception?

It contributed to feelings of apathy towards politicians, who are now among the least trusted in the UK.

What evidence suggests there is a participation crisis?

Declining voter turnout and party membership.

What evidence suggests participation is increasing?

Rising pressure group membership, over 30,000 petitions on the government website, and active political discussions on social media.

What was the turnout for the Scottish Independence referendum in 2014?

85%

What was the turnout for the European Union referendum in 2016?

72%

What is suffrage or enfranchisement?

The ability to vote in public elections.

Who is not enfranchised in the UK?

People under 18, citizens from countries other than the UK and Ireland, members of the House of Lords, prisoners, those convicted of electoral corruption for 5 years, people detained in psychiatric hospitals, and the Monarch.

What special voting rights were granted in the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum?

The right to vote was given to 16- and 17-year-olds.

What change regarding prisoners' voting rights occurred in 2020 in Scotland?

Some prisoners were given the right to vote for future Scottish parliamentary elections.

What were the two types of constituencies in the voting system from the Middle Ages to the 19th century?

Counties and boroughs

Who was allowed to vote in counties before the 1832 Great Reform Act?

Men with a property worth over 40 shillings

What was a significant outcome of the 1832 Great Reform Act?

Abolished rotten boroughs and created seats for urban areas like Manchester

What did the 1867 Second Reform Act accomplish?

Granted the right to vote to borough householders, such as tradesmen and shopkeepers

What was the impact of the 1884 Third Reform Act?

Extended the vote to rural householders, including farmers and miners

What did the 1918 Representation of the People Act do?

Extended the right to vote to all men over 21 and women over 30

What change did the 1928 Equal Franchise Act implement?

Established equal voting age for women and men at 21

What principle was established by the 1948 Representation of the People Act?

One vote for one person, even if registered in multiple constituencies

What significant change occurred in the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum?

Extended the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds

What was the role of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS)?

Led by Millicent Fawcett, it advocated for women's suffrage through non-violent methods

Who founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) and when?

Emmeline Pankhurst in 1903

What notable action did suffragette Emily Davison take in 1913?

Threw herself under the king's horse at the Epsom Derby

What was a common consequence for suffragettes during their protests?

Many were imprisoned and went on hunger strikes

What was the primary reason for the passing of the 1918 Representation of the People Act?

To allow all men to vote, rather than primarily focusing on women's suffrage

What would likely have happened if the right to vote had not been granted to women in 1918?

There would have been more protests and actions after the war

What is compulsory voting?

A system where failure to vote results in a fine, already active in Belgium and Australia.

What happens if voters in compulsory voting systems feel apathetic?

They can spoil their ballot by filling it out incorrectly, such as voting for more candidates than allowed or leaving it blank.

What was significant about the Scottish Independence referendum in 2014?

It allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to vote for the first time.

Which parties support reducing the voting age to 16 in the UK?

The Liberal Democrats, SNP, and Labour.

What rights do 16- and 17-year-olds currently have that support the argument for voting?

They can join the military and change their name by deed poll.

What is a common argument against allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote?

Opponents argue that they may not be mature enough to make informed decisions.

What announcement did the Labour government make in July 2025 regarding voting age?

They announced that 16- and 17-year-olds will be granted the right to vote before the next UK general election in 2029.

Are prisoners currently allowed to vote in the UK?

No, prisoners are not allowed to vote.

What argument is made for allowing prisoners to vote?

Prisoners should have a say in the prison and justice system reforms that affect them.

What is the primary goal of pressure groups?

To influence policy-making rather than gain political power.

What are sectional or interest groups?

Groups that promote the interests of a specific group or organization, with limited membership based on qualifications or occupation, such as the National Farmers Union (NFU).

What are cause groups?

Groups that focus on raising awareness about specific issues, often with open membership, like Extinction Rebellion and Shelter.

What distinguishes social movements from cause groups?

Social movements are more loosely structured and may include members of traditional pressure groups.

What are insider groups?

Groups that have direct contacts with the government and often align their policies with government interests.

What strategies do outsider groups use to influence government decisions?

Outsider groups use protests, media campaigns, and public demonstrations to push their agendas.

What is direct action in the context of pressure groups?

Public involvement in politics through methods such as demonstrations, strikes, and sit-ins.

How can resources impact the success of a pressure group?

Having money for staff, advertising, and organizing events can increase a group's visibility and effectiveness.

What role does public support play in the success of pressure groups?

Groups aligned with public opinion and receiving favorable media endorsements are generally more successful.

How did the NFU influence the 2013 badger cull policy?

The NFU's insider status allowed them to discuss the policy directly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

What was the British Medical Association's (BMA) campaign regarding smoking in cars?

The BMA aimed to ban smoking in cars carrying children, leading to an amendment in the 2014 Children and Families Act.

What was the outcome of the RMT Union's guards dispute in 2017-19?

The dispute led to significant strikes and a televised debate, but did not resolve the issue of removing guards from trains.

What ongoing dispute has the RMT Union faced since June 2022?

A dispute over pay and working conditions, with workers demanding a 7% pay rise amid a government offer of only 3%.

What methods do insider groups use to influence government decisions?

They access key decision-makers, provide specialist information, and target members of the House of Commons or Lords.

What is the significance of strong leadership in pressure groups?

Strong leaders can effectively represent the group and communicate their messages to the public and media.

What is an example of a social movement that overlaps with traditional pressure groups?

Members of Campaign for Better Transport may also belong to the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT).

What is the role of civil disobedience in pressure group tactics?

Civil disobedience involves refusing to obey certain laws to draw attention to an issue.

How did the BMA's campaign evolve over time?

Initially seeking a complete ban on smoking in cars, they adjusted their strategy to focus on banning smoking in cars with children.

What challenges do even large pressure groups face in changing government policy?

Despite resources, they may still struggle to effect change due to the complexities of political decision-making.

What percentage pay rise did the government offer to the RMT Union?

3%

Which unions staged strikes across Britain's rail network in 2022 and 2023?

RMT Union and ASLEF Union

What significant event occurred on June 21st and 23rd, 2022, related to the RMT Union strikes?

The strikes coincided with A-level exams.

What is the role of think tanks in government policy?

They develop new policy and persuade political parties to adopt their ideas.

Name a think tank that supports neoliberal economic policy.

Adam Smith Institute

What is the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) known for?

Researching the impact of taxation and publishing unbiased reports.

What is the primary function of lobbyists?

To influence government policy on behalf of clients.

What is the 'revolving door' in the context of lobbying?

The practice of former politicians becoming lobbyists due to their access to current politicians.

How do large corporations exert political influence?

By employing lobbyists and engaging directly with the government.

What is a major criticism of large technology companies like Apple and Amazon in the UK?

Not paying their fair share of tax despite large profits.

What document established the idea of the rule of law in the UK?

Magna Carta (1215)

What rights are included in civil liberties?

Freedom of speech, religion, association, and the right to a fair trial.

What does the Human Rights Act (1998) do?

Incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (2000)?

To allow citizens access to government information, promoting transparency.