UK Politics and Core Political Ideas - Mrs Gaunt

Democracy

rule of the people

Monarchy

one person rule

Oligarchy

a few people’s rule (links to plutocracy with wealth)

Tyranny

despotic rule - wasn’t always bad

Aristocracy

the best people’s rule (originally didn’t mean best by birth)

Theocracy

government by religious leaders

Consitutinal monarchies

there is a government and elected parliament

What does democracy show?

representation, accountability and legitimacy

what happened in 1215

magna carter agreed

what happened in 1341

house of commons meeting starts

what happened in 1642

civil war between king and parliament

what happened in 1688

glorious revolution ends absolute power of monarch

what happened in 1800

about 5% of population have right to vote

what happened in 1867

reform act meaning now around 32% of the population can vote

what happened in 1918

representation of the people act so now some women can vote in general elections

what happened in 1928

all men and women over 21 can vote

what happened in 1969

voting age lowered to 18

what happens if there is no accountability for people’s policies, actions and decisions

representation becomes meaningless

what must representatives be responsible for

their policies, actions and decisions

fixed term parliament act of 2011

term limits for election at 5 years

snap election

if a party breaks a promise made in their manifesto, an election is called

social representation

characteristics of members of a representative body should be broadly in line with characteristics of a population

3 examples of members of a representative body

parliament, regional assemblies and local councils

what do representatives elected locally act on

national interests

constituency

the locality that elects a representative for parliament

three main parts of a representative democracy

representing the interests of your constituency, representing individual constituents and listening to views of constituents in relation to national interest

examples of functional representation

trade unions, social group

casual representation

things that cannot be represented by people but by causes eg enviroment

functions of a democracy

representation, accountability, legitimacy and participation

what is the benefit of the levels of representation

everyone in the UK are represented by at least 3 or more levels

national government

uk parliament and government

devolved government

government in wales or scotland, all having elected representative

metropolitan mayors

elected mayor in big cities

local councils

county or metropolitan councils depending on an area

parish or town councils

deals with local issues

3 features of a democracy

fair elections, accountability and freedom of expression

example of a metropolitan mayor

sadiq khan

what do local councils deal with

education, public transport

what is the franchise/suffrage

the right to vote

what is the great reform act 1832

Franchise extended to shopkeepers and small farmers

what is the second reform act 1867

doubles the electorate to 2 million

what is the ballot act 1872

introduced the secret ballot

what is the third reform act 1884

franchise extended to most working men

what is the representation of the people act 1918

married, graduate or property owning women over 30 given the right to vote

what is the representation of the people (equal franchise act) 1928

franchise extended to all adults over 21, including women

what is the representation of the people act 1969

voting age reduced from 21 to 18

what is the representation of the people act 1985

extends the franchise to british citizens residing abroad

what is the scottish election (reduction of voting age) act 2016

16 and 17 year olds allowed to vote in all elections in scotland not including general elections and referendums

how did most suffragists act

follow the route of political persuasion

why were some suffragists frustrated

they didn’t see much progress with the non-confrontational approach

what is special about modern suffrage

it is extended to all adults

what are the most effective ways to participate in politics

voting in elections, standing for public office and being an active member of a party

what are the quite effective ways to participate in politics

being an active member of a pressure group, trade union or a passive party member

what are the least effective ways to participate in politics

digital activism, community campaigner and being an ethical consumer

what is special about voting compared to other ways to participate in politics

it is the least intensive form of participation but it is also the most important

who can vote in the UK

citizens of UK, commonwealth country or republic of ireland

can the royal family vote

they can but they choose not to

who cannot vote in the UK

members of HoL or people in prison

what is the benefit of an e-democracy and digital activism

it requires little effort

what is the negative about e-democracy and digital activism

no guarantee people are educated on the issues they’re supporting

what is anti politics

used to describe distrust of politicians, dislike of traditional party politics and disaffection with democracy

how is anti politics caused

lack of interest, voters no longer being committed to one party

how can we fix low turnouts at elections among the young

compulsory voting, online voting and more political education in schools

how can we fix political apathy (lack of interest)

increase use of referendums to engage more people in political debate

how can we fix falling party membership

electoral reform making more parties electable, reduce party subscriptions

how can we fix disillusionment with politicians and political parties

change in the electoral system might encourage support for smaller parties and independant candidates

how can we fix shallow engagement with political issues as a result of social media and online campaigns

more political education and politicians encouraging direct consultation with citizens

what is a passive party member

someone who pays for membership but doesn’t really join in

what are ways to be a digital activist

e-petitions or liking groups

example of party that reduced party subscriptions

Labour 2015 - ed milliband made it £3

2 good things about pressure groups

provides a voice for minority and allows participation between elections

2 things bad about pressure groups

information can be biased and elites can dominate policy influence

what is a think tank

refers to privately funded non profit organisations that conduct research with a view to changing political policies

what is a good think tank

their proposals can be as rigorous as academic research and as accessible as journalism

what is a non political affliation example of a think tank

demos

what does demos do

studies power, where it lies and how it is used

what is a right wing example of a think tank

adam smith institute

what does the adam smith institute do

free market economics

what is a left wing example of a think tank

fabion society

what is the fabion society

britain’s oldest think tank

what is a protest group

single organised body but the word of pressure politics involves attempts to apply pressure on a border front

example of protest group

led by donkeys, just stop oil, insulate britain

what is a lobbyist

companies who get paid to gain access to government for their clients

who do lobbying companies usually employ and why

they often employ ex politicians who know how to get access to decision makers

why is lobbying controversial

larger companies can afford to pay large fees in order to try and influence the government

what is pluralism

emphasises popular participation in politics between elections not just during elections

what are 2 contrasting think tanks

adam smith institute and fabian society

why do people call liz truss the tufton street candidate

her political ideas were deeply tied to a cluster of free market think tanks and lobbying groups on tufton street

what do just stop oil protest about

they want the uk government to immediately halt all new licences for fossil fuel extraction

what do insulate britain protest about

the uk government to fund and take responsability for social housing

does the uk have a codified constitution

no

what is the civil liberties similar to

the 10 ammendments in usa

what is civil liberties

a simple part of the law of the land that can be changed by the government but never has

what are the civil liberties

freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association and right to a fair trial

what is the magna carta 1215

the rule of law which established that the monarch was not above law

what is article 61

if the monarch broke the law, a council of 25 barons had the right to rebel

what have some people done due to article 61

people tried to seize Edinburgh castle on 17 august 2021

how else are rights protected

humans right act 1998, freedom of information act 2000 and equality act 2010

what is the human rights act

incorporated the european convention of human rights made in 1950 into uk law, giving citizens the right to challenge laws in uk court and uk courts can issue a deceleration of incompatibility which can put pressure on the government to back down

what does the humans right act include

right to life, freedom of thought and expression etc