UK Politics: Democracy and Participation

Practice question-and-answer flashcards covering key topics in UK Politics, Democracy, Franchise extensions, Pressure Groups, Think Tanks, and Human Rights.

How is direct democracy defined in the note booklet?

A system where the people are able to make decisions directly on an issue, usually in the form of a 'yes' or 'no' response.

How is pluralist democracy defined?

A political system which allows for competition between a wide range of public interest groups in order to win favour with the government of the day.

What is a democratic deficit?

A lack of democracy within a political system, where participation is one issue that could affect it.

What is meant by a participation crisis?

A situation where evidence suggests the UK has experienced a decline in political participation in recent decades.

What were the official vote percentages in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?

55.3% voted in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK, and 44.7% voted in favour of Scotland's independence.

What threshold must an e-petition reach on the government website to be considered for debate in Parliament?

100,000 signatures (for consideration in Westminster Hall or the House of Commons).

What legal requirement was enacted in 2021 as a result of an e-petition?

It was made a legal requirement to search guests at the entry of nightclubs.

What example is given for consultative democracy in the booklet?

Consulting communities that will be affected about the expansion of Heathrow.

What result was achieved through open primaries in the 2015 UK general election?

Thirteen conservative candidates were elected.

What example is cited for party members electing their party leader?

Truss 2022.

Under the Recall of MPs Act, what conditions trigger a by-election, and what example is provided?

If 10% of voters in a constituency sign a petition; example given is Chris Davies in 2019.

What were the key franchise expansions under the Reform Acts of 1832, 1918, 1928, and 1969?

1832 Great Reform Act allowed some middle class men to vote; 1918 gave all men of age and women aged 30 with minimum property the right to vote; 1928 allowed all women of age to vote on equal terms; 1969 lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

How did Suffragists and Suffragettes differ in membership and methods?

Suffragists had open membership across classes/genders and used peaceful methods (lectures, pamphlets, petitions). Suffragettes had closed membership (middle/upper-class women) and used civil disobedience (protests, hunger strikes, bomb threats).

What is the primary difference between sectional groups and cause groups?

Sectional groups represent a particular section of society to protect their interests with closed/exclusive membership (e.g., trade unions, BMA). Cause groups promote a particular cause for broader benefit with wider/inclusive membership (e.g., environmental groups, Unlock Democracy).

What are Core Insiders among pressure groups, and what examples are listed?

Groups that enjoy a very close relationship with the government on a range of issues; examples include NFU, BMA, and CBI.

What were the stated aims and main successes of Black Lives Matter in the UK case study?

Aims: lower racial inequality, teach youth about minority ethnic groups, reduce racially motivated crimes, gain racial equality. Success: encouraged the UK to confront the reality of ongoing racism.

What were the aims and failures of Extinction Rebellion according to the booklet?

Aims: commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2025 and pressure Westminster to declare a climate emergency. Failures: made people more hostile and failed to get carbon emissions down to net zero by 2025.

Which think tanks are cited for having an impact on Cameron's and Truss's governments?

TaxPayers' Alliance influenced Cameron's austerity policies, and the Institute for Economic Affairs impacted Truss's government.

What significance did the Magna Carta 1215 have in the evolution of British civil liberties?

It provided the foundation for British civil liberties by stating that the law should be impartial and no free man should be convicted of a crime unless fairly tried.

What nine protected areas/characteristics are established by the Equality Act 2010?

Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Marriage and civil partnership, Pregnancy and maternity.

Who is the Islamist preacher shown, whose deportation was halted for 8 years under HRA rulings due to evidence acquired through torture?

Abu Qatada (2012 Abu Qatada case).

What specific campaign did Liberty support regarding HRA Article 8 and biometric data?

Legal support for the Ed Bridges case against South Wales Police regarding infringement of HRA Article 8 through facial recognition technology and storage of biometric data.