influences on law making

Question 1

house of commons definition

Answer 1

The elected branch of Parliament consisting of 650 MP’s, each elected by and representing a constituency area in the UK. The make laws for the UK, alongside the House of Lords

Question 2

house of lords definition

Answer 2

The unelected branch of Parliament consisting of peers, who have either inherited their position or been appointed due to their achievements in a certain field. They make laws for the UK alongside the House of Commons

Question 3

legislation

Answer 3

Laws / Acts of Parliament / Statutes

Question 4

judiciary meaning

Answer 4

name given to judges as a whole

Question 5

what are the 6 influences on parliament

Answer 5

pressure groups
kings speech
media
lobbyists
manifesto
public opinion

Question 6

what other sources may also be a factor (4)

Answer 6

EU Law –an EU Directive
Private Member’s Bills – this is when an individual MP introduces a new law
Emergency Situations
The Law Commission – this is an independent body who review changes that are needed to the law

Question 7

political influence- advantage (3)

Answer 7

Manifesto informs public and outlines what parties stand for.
Shows what the government will do.
Winning party will have a majority in the Commons so should be able to enact new laws.

Question 8

political influence- disadvantage (4)

Answer 8

Parties don’t always keep their promises.
It is a big document so the public may not bother to read it all.
New parties can repeal old laws.
Small majorities or Coalitions may not reflect the wishes of the whole country.

Question 9

public opinion/ media advantages (6)

Answer 9

Fastest way to spread news.
Way of getting the public involved.
Democratic.
Events can happen which cause a swell of public support for an issue.
Social media is immediate feedback for government.
Free press can criticize government.

Question 10

public opinion/ media disadvantages (5)

Answer 10

Government respond too quickly to the public which could be bad as they may not have taken their time to think it through.
Public can resort to criminal behavior to promote their cause.
Media can create public panics.
Main aim is to make profit.
Not politically neutral.

Question 11

pressure groups- advantages (5)

Answer 11

Gives the public a voice.
They raise awareness.
Can provide well thought-out law changes.
Some have large memberships representing the electorate.
They can raise issues that government might usually back away from.

Question 12

pressure groups- disadvantages (4)

Answer 12

Biased.
May only help a minority (tyranny of the minority).
May resort to undesirable tactics which can be violent or illegal.
Two conflicting groups can cancel each other out.

Question 13

lobbyists- advantages (3)

Answer 13

Easy for members of the public to get their views in Parliament.
They are successful in bringing issues to the attention of MP’s.
Professional lobbyists are experts and can provide advice and information for the government on the issue at hand.

Question 14

lobbyists- disadvantages (3)

Answer 14

It can be unethical and the process can get abused (e.g. cash for questions).
It requires experience to offer a solution.
It will only be effective for 1 group.
Revolving Door.

Question 15

what is the revolving door

Answer 15

government officials leave the office to become lobbyists, and by which lobbyists become government officials – presents problems for modern democracies that largely go unrecognized, unaccounted for and unpoliced.

Question 16

manifesto- advantages (3)

Answer 16

A manifesto clearly outlines the goals, values, and principles of a group, organization, or movement. This clarity helps members or followers understand the overarching vision and purpose.
guiding principles that can serve as a foundation for decision-making.
sets a standard against which actions and decisions can be measured. This helps in holding individuals or organizations accountable for their actions.

Question 17

manifesto- disadvantages (4)

Answer 17

political parties can go against their manifesto once they are in power
not everyone would agree with it
The language used in a manifesto may be subject to interpretation, and different individuals or groups may interpret it in ways that were not intended. This can lead to misunderstandings and internal conflicts.
In an attempt to establish a clear identity, a manifesto might unintentionally marginalize or dismiss diverse perspectives within a group or community, hindering inclusivity.

Question 18

public opinion advantages (4)

Answer 18

mechanism for holding leaders and institutions accountable
feedback for government actions and policies.
motivates individuals to voice their concerns, participate in elections, and actively contribute to the democratic process.
contributes to better decision-making-an educated and engaged public can provide valuable insights and perspectives that enhance the quality of policies and decisions.

Question 19

public opinion- disadvantages (4)

Answer 19

Public opinion can be shaped and manipulated by media, which may have its own biases, agendas, or sensationalism.
Special interest groups or powerful lobbies may manipulate public opinion to serve their own interests.
may be influenced by misinformation or a lack of accurate information.
individuals may follow the crowd without critical thinking.