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Summary AQA Politics A-level UK Politics Notes
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A* Notes for all topics under UK Politics side of Paper 1. Topics covered: - Democracy - Pressure Groups - UK Elections - Political Parties
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,,Democracy
ORIGINS:
- Democracy = a form of government
- Democracy = ‘demos’ + ‘kratos’ Democracy = rule by the people
- Demos = the masses/ the people
- ‘kratos’ = rule by
Democracy is: ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’ – Abraham Lincoln
• Of the people = it’s the people being governed
• By the people = it’s the people that are governing
• For the people = in the interests of the people
A political system = democratic if the major decisions that affect society are made, directly /
indirectly, by the people themselves, with each citizen having an equal right to have a say + to
make his/her opinion count (Beetham 2005)
WHAT IS POWER:
• The ability to influence/control behaviour of people
o Who has power: superiors
• People give consent to be governed in a number of ways:
o Free elections
o Good turnout in elections
o Distinct lack of popular consent
o Demonstrations of support for the gov
o A referendum
WHAT IS LEGITIMACY:
• The principle that a regime, institution/individual has a right to exercise power
Legitimacy in the UK’s political bodies:
• HoC = legitimate because it is elected
o BUT → argued electoral system = unfair as it distorts political representation
• HoL = arguably not legitimate → not elected
o BUT has traditional authority + political influence = widely recognised
o Has historic power: established since 1215
• UK gov legitimate → elected with clear mandate to govern
o BUT did coalition receive a mandate to rule?/did Conservatives receive legitimate
victory in GE
• Power of PM is legitimate → widely acknowledged the = supreme policy maker in political
systems
o BUT no legal basis for prime ministerial power → said to lack legitimacy
, Direct Democracy:
• In Ancient Greece, voting population (under 10,000) gathered to vote on issues concerning key
issues. The majority verdict was accepted
• Direct democracy = direct
o People make decisions not choose who will rule on their behalf
• Direct democracy = unmediated
o The people = gov -> no middle man/separate class of professional politicians
• Direct democracy = continuous
o People engage on regular + ongoing basis - decisions made by people
Includes:
• Citizenship rights + duties
• Active engagement all citizens
• Equal expertise all citizens
• Majority rule not minority rights
• Institutions e.g.:
o Referendums, initiatives, workers boards, town meetings, planning consultation, local
participation/decision making
Arguments for direct democracy
1. Reduces democratic deficit
• British system of representative gov = limited → elections only held every 4/5yrs
• DD via system of referendums would reduce democratic deficit
• Since 1997 Labour held referendums in each of 1st 2 terms → could say that deficit = reduced
2. Brings gov closer to people when faith in politicians = falling + decision making is too distant
• Turnout during referendums is high when vote is preceded by sustained debate about issue
→electorate engages when they feel their vote matters
• E.g. 81% voted in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement.
3. Legitimate government
• Ensures rule = legitimate → people more likely accept decisions made themselves
• When citizens make political decisions directly they have to take responsibility for them → no
one else to blame so helps ensure stable gov
4. Personal development
• DD creates better informed + knowledgeable citizens → education benefits
• Direct + regular participation in gov encourages people to take more interest in politics +
better understand own society → both how it works + should work
• Research in Denmark at time of referendum on Maastricht Treaty suggested ordinary
voters knew more about its contents than Danish MPs did
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