Summary of the Edexcel Politics A Level (reduced spec)
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A highly detailed 61 page document with in depth summaries and evidence for UK Government, UK Politics, Politics of the USA and political ideologies (conservatism, socialism, feminism). Reduced specification but with an enormous amount of information and extensive examples that can be applied to di...
1.3.1 How different pressure groups ● Association whose aim is to influence policy making at all different levels
exert influence and how their ● Common desire to influence government without becoming government itself
methods and influence vary in ● Trade union movement helped form Labour in 20th century
contemporary politics ● Functions of pressure groups include the following:
○ Represent/promote interests of sections of community
○ Protect interests of minority groups
○ Promotes causes not taken up by political parties
○ Inform/education public on key issues
○ Call government to account
○ Pass key information to government
○ Give citizens participation opportunities
● Vital part of civil society
● Promotion groups (promoting a cause) e.g. Greenpeace, Liberty, CND
● Sectional groups (functional, part of community, self interested) e.g. Age UK, BMA
● Insider groups (engaged with government, involved in law making)
● Outsider groups (public campaigning, civil disobedience, seek influence through
demonstrations)
● Methods used include the following:
○ Access points and lobbying (particularly insider groups)
○ Public campaigning (often outsider groups especially)
○ E.g. Countryside Alliance wanted restoration of fox hunting, local and
national demonstrations
○ Grants to political parties for favours
○ Parliamentary representation
○ Media campaigns
○ Resortion to illegal methods
● Success factors include the following:
○ Size (larger = better, Age UK represent half population so successful)
○ Finance (wealthy = better, CBI have considerable funds and favourable
treatment)
○ Position (companies vital to economy so greater leverage)
○ Public mood (e.g. ASH campaign on smoking successful)
○ Attitude of government (influence of Lib Dems 2010-15 helped CPAG
gain traction)
● Failure factors include the following:
○ Small with limited funds (related to hyperpluralism)
○ Unsympathetic government
○ Powerful countervailing groups (pro-smoking defeated by anti-smoking)
○ Public opinions
1.3.2 Case studies of two different ● ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) founded 1967 with aim to spread knowledge
pressure groups, highlighting around harmful effects of tobacco
examples of how their methods and ● Conducts and publishes research as well as sponsoring it and lobbying lawmakers
influence vary. ● Success includes restrictions of advertising and health warnings
● Has not yet reached the e-cigarette market
● Helps government make policy by providing information and had built iup support
network
● Amnesty International works to free people wrongfully imprisoned and protect
people where freedom and justice are denied
● Largest grassroots organisation, global movement of 7m+
● Do not accept money from governments to ensure independence
● Trade Union network that connects with the unions and student representation
● Covid saw emphasis on supporting people in care homes and has donation options
● Exposes government wrongdoings
● Their differences include the way that they are funded and the scale of the
organisation, as well as the ways in which they influence policy
1.3.3 Other collective organisations ● Think tanks undertake research into aspects of public policy
and groups including think tanks, ● Financed either by government or private sources
lobbyists and corporations, and their ● Used by decision makers to inform policy deliberation
,influence on government and ● Neutral think thanks:
Parliament ○ Res Publica (policy issues)
○ Chatham House (international affairs)
○ Centre for Social Justice (policy on welfare issues)
● Left wing think tanks:
○ Fabian society (issues concerning social justice and equality)
○ Institute for Public Policy Research (various left wing policy ideas)
● Right wing think tanks:
○ Adam Smith Institute (promoting free market solutions to economic
issues)
○ Centre for Policy Studies (promoting ideas popularing during Thatcher’s
time)
● Liberal think tanks:
○ Liberty (promoting issues concerning the protection of rights and liberties)
○ Reform (concerning policies on welfare, public services and economic
management)
● Lobbyists are not neutral
● Exist to promote particular interest
● Operate round EU institutions and Wetminster hoping to further cause of those who
employ them
● Often employ former politicians
● Celebrities give opportunity for media attention and public support
● E.g. Joanna Lumley took up Gurkhas case which was successful in 2009
● E.g. Marcus Rashford 2020 and the free school meals campaign against
government which was largely successful
1.4 Rights in context
1.4.1 Major milestones in their ● The Magna Carta in 1215 promised protection of church rights, protection from
development, including the illegal imprisonment and access to justice
significance of Magna Carta and ● Seen as beginning of rights in the UK
more recent developments, including ● Common law important - declaration of understanding of people’s rights
the Human Rights Act 1998 and
Equality Act 2010. ● Human Rights Act 1998 brought the ECHR into UK law, meaning that it became
binding upon government
● Binding on all public bodies and enforced by all courts in the UK
● Freedom of Information Act 2000 meant MPs and media able to discover
information not previously available
● Had previously not enjoyed nay right to see information held by public bodies
● Helped to improve health service, police and civil service as helps promote reform
● Equality Act 2010 had acts prior to it that had established formal equality; Race
Relations Act 1965 and Equal Pay Act
● However had not eliminated discrimination for all groups - Equality Act did this
● Outlaws discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender, race, sexual
orientation, religion etc
● By establishing greater equality, more sections of society can be accounted for
1.4.2 Debates on the extent, limits ● Equality Act confirmed that all citizens have equal rights
and tensions within the UK’s ● Rights are more protected today than they have previously
rights-based culture, including ● However Parliament remains sovereign and has the ability to change laws or take
consideration of how individual and them away
collective rights may conflict, the ● Legislation alone does not guarantee rights
contributions from civil liberties ● Human Rights Act appeared to establish binding right in UK, but Parliament has the
pressure groups – including the work ability to ignore the ECHR (although it is reluctant to do so)
of two contemporary civil liberties ● Rights can be suspended under special circumstances e.g. internment 1970
pressure groups. Troubles in NI to remove violent activists from streets
● Suspected terrorists could be held for long period after 9/11
● Responsibilities of citizens exist and have become more acute
● There are disputed responsibilities too however
● Clear responsibilities are enshrined in law and citizen’s run danger of prosecution if
they do not accept them
● There are collective rights and individual rights as society
● When these clash politicians are called upon to adjudicate
, ● Examples include freedom of expression, right to privacy and right to demonstrate
in public places
2.2 Established political parties
2.2.1 The origins and historical The Conservative party
development of the Conservative ● One nation conservatism craving order and security and individualism, suspicious of
Party, the Labour Party and Liberal ideas threatening existing order, preference for tradition
Democrat Party, and how this has ● New Right conservatism associated with Thatcher, includes neoliberalism and
shaped their ideas and current neoconservatism
policies on the economy, law and ● Neoliberalism argued interference with economics is counterproductive and free
order, welfare and foreign affairs markets are good
● Neoconservatism argues loose attitude to morality, need for law and order and
nationalism and patriotism
● Today has neoliberal approach to markets, pragmatic and cautious policy
● Argues expenditure has to be kept under control
● Argues punishment best crime deterrent and stresses security need
● Committed to welfare state, must ensure welfare benefits not disincentive to work
● Support for NATO and US but want FP, promote clean energy sources
● Want to reduce excessive inequality and reluctant for reform of political system
● Factions include Cornerstone (traditional values), Conservative Way Forward
(Thatcherite, neoliberal) and Tory Reform Group (centre left)
The Labour party
● Created off trade union mvmt, split with SDP 1980s, move towards New Labour
● Old Labour viewed society in terms of class conflict, and championed equality of
opportunity and common ownership and collectivism
● Created welfare state and NHS, wide TU powers and promoted nationalisation
● New Labour opposed to hard left, rejected class conflict and argued all state
supported, with capitalism best way to create wealth
● Individualism as opposed to collectivism, equality of opportunity
● Committed to political reform and NHS increase spending as well as welfare
● Today’s policies include economic views to reduce debt and promote mid
redistribution of wealth
● Private industry but also state regulated, strong welfare state and prefers social
remedies towards crime
● Strong nuclear support and environmental support
● Factions include Far left and Momentum (far left), Blairism and social democracy
(New Labour) and Blue Labour (party right)
The Liberal Democrats
● Invented 1988 through Liberal and SDP merger
● Height of electoral success 2005 and 2010 coalition but fallen since then
● Core values include tolerance, liberty and rights, equality of opportunity, social
justice and constitutionalism
● Policies today include rebalancing economy to spread more wealth
● Seeks rehabilitation for crime and retention of human rights
● Preference to remain in EU and prioritise education and health
● Support NATO and aims but suspicious of excessive UK interventions abroad
● Supportive of constitutional reform and have strong environmental targets
● Factions include Orange Book Liberals (centre-left) and social liberals (centrist)
2.3 Emerging and minor UK political parties
2.3.1 The importance of other parties ● Have policy impact e.g. UKIP major influence on EU referendum 2016
in the UK. ● Have party impact e.g. fall of Cameron and main party splits linked to UKIP
2016
● Impact on governing e.g. DUP holding up May’s government with supply and
demand agreement
● Devolved assembly impact, more minor parties in government so better represented
interests
● Impact on UK e.g. SNP independence policy led to 2014 IndyRef and renewed
calls for independence
2.3.2 The ideas and policies of two The SNP
other minor parties ● Won majority of seats in Scotland to form governments
● Key focus on independence; gives greater autonomy to Scotland
● Support for constitutional reforms
, ● Socially democratic and support social justice
● Wants to maintain nuclear deterrent as well as environmental protection
● Abolished Scottish university fees
● Focus on the welfare state and generous provisions support
UKIP
● Breakthrough in 2015 after promises of holding an EU referendum
● Focused on leaving the EU and getting it done quickly
● Gained one seat but 12% vote in 2015, lost gains in 2017
● Strict UK immigration policies in place
● Economically libertarian (extreme neoliberalism)
● Focus on traditional lifestyles and protectionist and unionist
● Opposed to any form of international aid
2.4 UK political parties in context
2.4.1 The development of a multi- ● Initially UK party
party system and its system was seen as
implications for government. very much a two
party system
● This fluctuates and
changes throughout
the years but has
gradually evolved to
a multiparty system
on occasion
● Devolved regions
definitely have
multiparty systems
● Westminster saw two party dominance return in 2017 in terms of seats
● This is largely impacted by FPTP and the role that plays on votes vs seats
● In terms of votes it is a multi-party system it is just that these do not translate across
● Devolved and local elections see definite multi-party systems
● Particularly in devolved nations; they are evident;y multi-party with little English
party roles
2.4.2 Various factors that affect party ● Lack of funding - small parties may be able to find benefactors to support them to
success – explanations of minimise this e.g. as UKIP did 2010
why political parties have succeeded ● The electoral system discriminates - in devolved regions proportional representation
or failed, including helps small parties
debates on the influence of the ● Lack of media exposure - strong leaders in small parties may help this, e.g. with
media. SNP led by Nicola Sturgeon
● Lack of organisation - can try to achieve widespread popular support with populist
ideas e.g. as UKIP did
● Wasted votes - in proportional systems fewer votes are wasted
● Leadership - voters respond to quality of individual, and needs experiences,
decisiveness, ability to lead, media image and honesty
○ E.g. May had high poll ratings as she had high gov experience and
tough media
○ E.g. Corbyn had little experience and had a poor media image and
perceived lack of intelligence
● Unity - disunited parties have worse prospects than other parties
○ E.g. 2016 united Conservative Party dominated disunited Labour
○ E.g. 2017 Labour united around radical manifesto which led to
dramatic improvement in votes
○ E.g. Labour 1997 was incredibly united under New Labour with
Major’s Tory government very split
● The media - electorate influenced by how the party is portrayed through press
○ E.g. 2010 Nick Clegg did well in TV debates and did well enough to
enter coalition government
○ E.g. 2015 Ed Miliband performed poorly in TV debate and so did
worse in the election
3.1 Different electoral systems
3.1.1 First-past-the-post (FPTP), FPTP
Additional Member System (AMS), ● Plurality system based on constituencies
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