Essay Plans Flashcards
Direct democracy system should be adopted
Against: Representative systems offer parties and manifestos with clear and coherent choices and options, can be removed if don’t follow through
For: But this trust is sometimes betrayed and sometimes is too late,
Against: tyranny of majority
For: minority rights not always safeguarded under FPTP due to influences of elections and lobbying, encourages popular participation, decisions have greater legitimacy
Is the UK a truly representative democracy?
For: Free elections, pressure groups, media, referendums, citizens can get involved and express themselves
Against: FPTP distorts voters wishes, excludes minorities, wasted votes, tactical voting and those who may have voted don’t as put off by this, seems pointless
For: Various institutions and bodies have checks over gov. Can Protect civil rights, independent judiciary, HOL, opposition
Against: Parl sov, majorities, whips can do what like
For: Pressure groups
Against: If on unpopular issues or not aligned with gov policy unlikely to make difference
UK Democracy is healthy?
For: free parties, choice
Against: can betray trust, undue influence of funders, lobbyists
For: Free elections
Against: FPTP, apathy
For: rights protected e.g. by HRA by HOL by judiciary
Against: parl, have eroded rights, whips and bribes
Is there a participation crisis in the Uk?
Against: not ideal but has increased since early 2000s and in line with most similar countries, turnout still high in key, important issues and referendums
For: turnout decreased, apathy, low among young people, especially low in ‘minor’ elections and among the disadvantaged, also party membership has decreased
Against: other ways e.g., pressure groups, protesting, petitions, social media
For: these methods have limited impact, especially in niche issues or not in line with gov policy, or not many resources, also this shows apathy with system and that it isn’t serving
Reforming UK democracy/suffrage
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Reforming UK democracy/suffrage
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Reforming UK democracy/suffrage
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Pressure groups enhance democracy
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Pressure groups have been effective
FOR: if insider can use expertise and resources to make changes, gov influenced
AGAINST: If mission doesn’t align with gov poll won’t enjoy this
FOR: however even if this is true can Gail public support to put pressure on gov, especially with social media
AGAINST: however stunts to gain attention that cause inconvenience can alienate, public have shown limited patience and ability to put up with these e.g. fuel prices, extinction rebellion
Think tanks and lobbyists
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Factors affecting pressure group success
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Factors affecting pressure group success
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Rights are protected adequately in the UK
For: Parliament can block attempts to impede on rights
Against: HOL ineffective, big majorities under FPTP aided by bribery and whips and parl sov means is hard. And gov has shown it can impede on rights, especially to counter terror threats
For: Independent judiciary, rights-based culture, HRA, judicial review
Against: Not binding , parl sov, can get around by changing the law if doesn’t want to plainly ignore, HRA in itself favours undeserving people but can also be derogated from
For: Pressure groups, petitions protests
Against: have been limited by law, limited success if not laughing with gov pol or on niche or unpopular issues, non-binding
Should parties receive state funding?
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Do political parties enhance democracy?
For: Voter choice, participation , education , manifestos
Against: Too much consensus, little choice, whips beat out individuality, undue influence from big donors and business, can betray trusts
For: ensure United opposition that can scrutinise gov effectively and check on it, ensure good policy-making
Against: in reality factions make difficult along with much opposition is not in interest of people , e.g. PMQs, whips, as don’t want to hand achievements to other parties
Is the Conservative Party true to roots?
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Is the Labour Party true to roots?
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Is the Lib Dem party true to roots?
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Party systems
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Party systems
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