Democracy and participation Flashcards
(3 cards)
Explain and analyse three ways in which the Suffragettes were significant in the campaign to extend the franchise. [9]
Point- They gained lots of media attention by burning committing acts of violence.
Evidence- The Gloucester Journal ran dedicated columns on the latest outrages, e.g. Kew Gardens orchid house was attacked and its teahouse burned down.
Explain- Significant as it raised awareness of the issue of women’s suffrage as it was regularly in the news.
Point- Gained sympathies from the public.
Example- Many women would go on hunger strikes after being sent to jail, and they would be force fed.
Explain- Significant as it caused great criticism and put pressure on the government after the policy of force feeding was introduced to prevent them becoming martyrs. Made the issue of women’s suffrage a more significant concern of both the government and the public.
Point- They gained publicity by chaining themselves to public railings and gates.
Evidence- Buckingham Palace was famously involved in a protest in 1914 when suffragettes handcuffed themselves to the gates.
Explain- Significant as it would give them time to carry out their speeches before they were removed from the gates and arrested so their message could be effectively communicated.
Explain and analyse three arguments against the greater use of direct democracy in the UK. [9]
Point- It produces low turnouts.
Evidence- Occasionally direct democracy has high turnouts when the issue is very important e.g. Scottish independence (84.6%), although it is most often very low e.g. the AV vote in 2011 (42%).
Explain- This is a disadvantage because a small group of people make decisions that affect everyone, this undermines the legitimacy of decisions made.
Point- People tend to vote based on emotions rather than the practical considerations of major issues.
Evidence- The Brexit campaign used this to their advantage by emphasising that the referendum would be a once in a life time opportunity to break away from Europe.
Explain- This is a disadvantage as these outcomes may not be in the national interest and good for everyone.
Point- It undermines the elected representatives.
Evidence- The authority MPs would be undermined and it would allow them to pass the responsibility for difficult decisions to the public.
Explain- This is a disadvantage as MPs would become less accountable and have less responsibility for their policy decisions.
Explain and analyse three ways in which rights are protected in the UK. [9]
Point- The HRA 1998 incorporated the ECHR into British Law.
Evidence- The HRA was used by the family of Joanna Michael, a victim of domestic violence after her death at the hands of an abusive partner. They used the HRA to sue the police for failing to protect her.
Explain- This protects rights as the government’s actions have to comply with the ECHR according to the HRA, although this is limited as it is up to government ministers to decide whether to amend or repeal a bill.
Point- The Freedom of Information Act 2000 ensured political transparency.
Evidence- Data collected during 2012 using the FOI act found nearly half a million calls were unanswered from non-emergency services.
Explain- This protects rights as it allows citizens to hold public institutions accountable.
Point- The Equality Act 2010 codified all anti-discriminatory measures into 1 document.
Evidence- Rowstock Ltd v Jessemey (Court of Appeal, 26 February 2014). It was declared that the employers had victimised their ex-employee.
Explain- This protects rights as it defends citizens from unfair treatment on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as age.
