Politics And Participation

What is a democratic system?

A system of government with free and fair elections, political participation and protected civil rights.

What is an authoritarian system?

A system where power is concentrated with limited political freedoms and restricted opposition.

What is a dictatorship?

A form of authoritarian rule where one leader or group holds total power with little or no democratic accountability.

What is a one party state?

one political party is allowed to govern; opposition is restricted or banned.

What is an example of a democratic system?

The USA, which has free elections, separation of powers and protected civil liberties.

What is an example of a dictatorship?

North Korea, where elections are controlled and political opposition is not allowed.

What is an example of a one

party state?

How do democratic and authoritarian systems differ in rights?

Democracies protect civil liberties, while authoritarian systems often restrict freedoms such as speech and opposition.

How do they differ in participation?

Democracies encourage citizen participation through elections, while authoritarian systems limit meaningful participation.

How do they differ in accountability?

Democracies hold leaders accountable through elections and scrutiny, while authoritarian leaders face limited checks.

Why are democratic systems considered better for rights protection?

Because laws, courts and elections help safeguard freedoms and prevent abuse of power.

What is an advantage of authoritarian systems?

They can make decisions quickly and enforce policies without political opposition.

What is a disadvantage of authoritarian systems?

They restrict freedoms and limit political choice for citizens.

What is a majority government?

A government formed when one political party has more than half of the seats in the House of Commons.

What is a hung parliament?

A situation where no single party has an overall majority of MPs.

What was the 2010 coalition government?

A Conservative–Liberal Democrat government formed because no party won a majority in the general election.

How is the Prime Minister chosen?

The monarch appoints the leader of the party most likely to command the confidence of the House of Commons.

Why does a majority government tend to be stable?

Because one party has enough MPs to pass laws without relying on other parties.

Why do coalition governments form?

Because no party has a majority, so two or more parties work together to form a government.

What is an advantage of a majority government?

It is usually stable and can pass legislation quickly.

What is a disadvantage of a majority government?

It can lead to dominant rule where opposition voices are less influential.

What is an advantage of coalition governments?

They encourage compromise and wider representation of voter views.

What is a disadvantage of coalition governments?

They can be unstable and slow decision

What is the media?

Communication channels such as TV, newspapers, radio and online platforms that inform the public.

What is media bias?

When media outlets present news in a way that favours a particular political view or party.

What is the BBC?

A public service broadcaster that provides news and political coverage, including interviews with politicians.

How does the media inform the public?

By reporting political events, policies and government decisions so citizens can stay informed.

How does the media scrutinise government?

By questioning politicians, investigating issues and holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Why is media bias important in politics?

Because it can shape how the public views parties, policies and political leaders.

What is an advantage of the media?

It holds politicians and the government accountable through investigation and reporting.

What is a disadvantage of the media?

It can mislead the public or influence opinions unfairly through bias or selective reporting.

What is participation?

Involvement by citizens in political processes such as voting, campaigning or protesting.

What is a pressure group?

An organisation that seeks to influence government policy without trying to form a government.

What is insider lobbying?

When a pressure group works closely with government and has direct access to decision

What is an example of a pressure group?

The NSPCC, which lobbies government on children’s rights and welfare policy.

What were the Suffragettes?

A campaign group that used protests and activism to secure women’s voting rights in the UK (1918/1928).

What did Marcus Rashford campaign for?

Free school meal provision for disadvantaged children during school holidays in the UK.

What is Extinction Rebellion?

An environmental pressure group that uses direct action and protests to highlight climate change issues.

Why do citizens participate in politics?

To influence government decisions and ensure their views are represented.

How do pressure groups influence government?

Through lobbying, protests, media campaigns and public pressure.

Why are pressure groups important in a democracy?

They increase government accountability by representing specific issues and interests.

What is an advantage of political participation?

It strengthens democracy by giving citizens a voice in decision

What is a disadvantage of pressure groups?

Some groups have more money, access or influence than others, creating inequality in political influence.

What is tax?

Money collected by the government from individuals and businesses to fund public services.

What is a budget?

An annual financial plan outlining government spending and how it will be funded through taxation and borrowing.

What is income tax?

A tax paid on earnings such as wages and salaries.

What is VAT?

Value Added Tax charged on goods and services when they are bought.

What is National Insurance?

A tax on earnings that funds welfare benefits such as the NHS and state pensions.

Why does the government collect tax?

To fund public services like healthcare, education, transport and welfare.

How does the government manage the economy?

By using taxation, spending and interest rates to control issues like inflation and recession.

Why is government spending important?

It supports essential public services and maintains economic stability.

What is an advantage of taxation?

It funds key public services such as the NHS and education system.

What is a disadvantage of taxation?

High taxes can reduce disposable income and discourage work or investment.

Why does government budgeting matter?

It ensures public money is allocated to priorities and helps control national debt.

What is the role of government in a recession?

To increase spending or reduce taxes to stimulate economic growth.

What is devolution?

The transfer of powers from central government to regional governments in the UK.

What is the Scottish Parliament?

A devolved legislature in Scotland that makes laws on areas like education, health and transport.

What is the Senedd?

The devolved Welsh Parliament that makes decisions on areas such as health, education and local services.

What is the Northern Ireland Assembly?

A devolved legislature responsible for governing Northern Ireland on transferred policy areas.

What are local councils?

Local government bodies responsible for services such as housing, education, and waste collection.

What services do local councils provide?

They manage local services including refuse collection, schools, housing, and planning.

Why is devolution used in the UK?

To bring decision

How does devolution improve democracy?

It allows citizens to have more direct influence over decisions affecting their region.

What is an advantage of devolution?

It enables more localised decision

What is a disadvantage of devolution?

It can create inequality between regions with different levels of power and funding.

What is another disadvantage of devolution?

It can cause confusion over which level of government is responsible for certain policies.

What is a political party?

An organised group that aims to win elections and form government by promoting shared policies.

What is left

wing ideology?

What is right

wing ideology?

What does it mean if a party supports a free market?

They believe businesses should operate with minimal government interference.

What are the Conservatives known for?

Supporting free

What are Labour known for?

Supporting public services, higher government spending and reducing inequality.

What are the Liberal Democrats known for?

Supporting civil liberties, electoral reform and moderate social liberalism.

What is the Green Party focused on?

Environmental protection, sustainability and tackling climate change.

How do political parties represent ideologies?

They offer different sets of beliefs and policies so voters can choose based on their values.

Why are political parties important in a democracy?

They organise elections, form governments and provide voters with clear policy choices.

What is an advantage of political parties?

They give voters clear choices and help structure political debate.

What is a disadvantage of political parties?

Strong party conflict can reduce cooperation and increase political division.

What is a general election?

An election where citizens vote to choose their Member of Parliament (MP) to represent their constituency.

What is a referendum?

A direct vote by the public on a specific issue or policy.

What is voter turnout?

The percentage of eligible voters who actually vote in an election.

What is voter apathy?

A lack of interest or engagement in politics leading to low voter participation.

What was the 2016 EU Referendum?

A nationwide vote where 52% voted to leave the European Union.

What was the 2011 AV Referendum?

A UK vote on changing the voting system to Alternative Vote, which was rejected.

How does First Past the Post (FPTP) work?

The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins the seat.

How does Proportional Representation (PR) work?

Seats are allocated in proportion to the total votes each party receives.

Why is FPTP used in the UK?

It is simple, produces quick results and usually creates strong single

What is an advantage of FPTP?

It creates clear winners and stable governments without coalitions.

What is a disadvantage of FPTP?

It can produce unfair results where parties win more seats than their share of votes.

What is an advantage of PR?

It produces fairer representation that reflects how people actually voted.

What is a disadvantage of PR?

It often leads to coalition governments, which can be slower and less decisive.

What does bicameral mean?

A legislature with two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

What is the House of Commons?

The elected chamber of Parliament with 650 MPs representing constituencies.

What is the House of Lords?

The unelected chamber that revises, scrutinises and suggests amendments to legislation.

How does the House of Commons gain democratic legitimacy?

MPs are directly elected by the public in general elections.

What is the main role of the House of Commons?

To debate and pass laws and hold the government to account.

What is the main role of the House of Lords?

To review and revise bills to improve their quality and effectiveness.

How does the House of Lords improve law

making?

Why is Parliament bicameral?

To provide checks and balances by separating law