An in-depth list of essay questions and plans for all sections of the British side of the Edexcel Politics A Level. Extensive use of examples (often highlighted in blue for ease of vision) which can be used to create flashcards and support knowledge. Essay plans have 3 clear points on either side t...
Politics potential essay questions and essay plans
UK Politics
Democracy and participation
Evaluate the extent to which general elections in the UK are lost by the
government rather than won by the opposition.
For Against
- Public tire of the government and - Oppositions can bring new ideas
their policies e.g. Brown with Labour and excitement to the political stage
(had been more than 10 years, after long periods of governance e.g.
wanted new policies), Major with New Labour and Blair in 1997
Conservatives introducing new ideas to engage the
- Mistakes in office mean that people public
lose credibility e.g. the 1997 sleaze - Media influence can be important,
scandals that affected the 47% people said TV most influential
Conservative chance of victory, the factor in decision making, opposition
potential for the 2022 partygate to are able to play up in debates
affect the picture of the - Opposition are able to play off the
Conservatives to the voters losses of the government to
- If governments are immoral voters compare to their own successes e.g.
are less likely to vote e.g. Blair and Tories with the economic situation
the Iraq war in 2003 post 2010 election
- Management of the economy plays - Effective campaigns e.g. Labour’s
importantly on voters minds e.g. Not Working with Thatcher, Blair
Black Wednesday for the campaign against major appearing
Conservatives, the 2008 financial much more modern
crisis for Labour, the management of
the economy in Covid for the Tories
- Internal divisions in the government
e.g. over Covid the backbenchers
rebellions over the measures being
put in place 2020/2021, Brexit
divisions throughout May’s time in
office and Grenfell 2017
Evaluate the extent to which direct democracy is more effective and desirable
than representative democracy.
For Against
- Everyone in society participates, - It is impractical to achieve as
which means that there is much everyone has to be involved, and
greater accountability and also people may not have the right
means that there is much greater experience to be able to make
representation in the political system decisions; representatives are
- People make decisions directly for experienced and have the
, their own interests; it removes any of knowledge to be able to vote in
the issues around party voting as people’s best interests
people are purely just voting for - Citizens may become apathetic if
themselves asked to participate too much and
- All citizens’ voices are equal as they will not vote in society’s interests, as
each have an identical say, which MPs do, where they consider the
helps to rule out any inequality or larger picture as well as the details
misrepresentation - No minority voice can be heard in
- It is the purest form of democracy direct democracy whereas in
and so it is therefore the fairest representative people are able to
represent those with smaller voices
to magnify them to a great scale
Evaluate how democratic the UK’s political system is.
For Against
- There are free and fair elections with - The house of lords is not elected
widespread participation e.g. little and nor is the head of state, and
fraud, proportional systems in place FPTP is not a proportional system,
in devolved nations, extensive creating a government that can have
membership of pressure groups, less than 50% voter support
69% turnout 2017 election increased - Participation has been falling, e.g.
from the previous election with it reaching as low as 51% in
- There is freedom of expression and 2001, so whilst it has been
association e.g. media and press is increasing it is still much lower than
free, broadcast media is neutral with it has been in the past
free internet access and no legal - Parliament is sovereign which
restrictions on organisations means that rights are dependent on
- Protection of rights and liberties and government and the ECHR is not
the rule of law is strong e.g. ECHR binding on the government
and HRA help with this, helped by - Government power can be
Constitutional Reform Act, neutral interpreted differently due to the
and independent judiciary in place uncodified constitution and
sovereignty means power can
increase without being safeguarded
- Fusion of powers
Evaluate the extent to which pressure groups enhance democracy. (NOV
EXAM)
Evaluate how well rights are protected in the UK.
For Against
- HRA and the other laws around that - Citizens rights have been restricted
mean that rights are set out clearly as governments seek to protect
and in detail citizens from terrorism
- A rights based culture has been - The right to protest near Parliament
, established which allows the has been restricted
judiciary to be active in defending - The government has also introduced
groups control orders to restrict freedom of
- Pressure groups e.g. Liberty work to movement
stop governments undermining - The media undermines rights
rights protection by portraying acts like the
HRA as restricting of rights when in
actuality it is there to protect rights
Evaluate the view that the UK is suffering from a participation crisis.
For Against
- Falling participation e.g. turnout - Turnout levels have risen in general
falling since 1979 76% 1979, 201 elections from 59% in 2001 to 69%
59%; local elections have even in 2017 and if we combine voting for
smaller turnouts 36% 2018 local all new elections participation has
elections, 15% PCC 2012, in 2011 risen
only 42% voted on AMS referendum - Scottish independence referendum
- Party membership has fallen since saw an engaged population and
1980s with fewer party activist and turnout at 85% with 75% 16/17s
difficulties recruiting candidates voting
- Public disillusioned with lack of core - EU referendum had high turnout of
differences between parties leading 72.2%
to partisan dealignment - Membership for the Labour party
- Voter registration among young increased with Corbyn’s leadership
people is lower than among old up nearly 500,000
people - Over 26,000 e petitions on the
- Public trust in politicians has been government website and growing
undermined by e.g. sleaze scandal pressure groups suggesting that
1997, expenses scandal 2011, participation is growing just in
partygate 2022 different ways
Evaluate the health of UK democracy.
For Against
- Elections are free and fair, with - FPTP is not proportionate and there
FPTP strengths, proportional is general public apathy towards
systems in devolved governments politics
and high turnout - Parliament can be ineffective in
- Representation is good in the UK holding the government to account
with all citizens represented by an due to the large majority and MPs
MP can ignore constituents concerns
- Extensive freedoms and rights due to safe seats
incorporated through acts such as - Women, ethnic minorities and the
the HRA and FOI working class are under represented
- Pressure groups help to supplement - The HRA is not entrenched and so
democracy by giving a voice to can be ignored, and the FOI has too
, minorities and ensuring political many exemptions which
diversity governments use for their own gain
- The rule of law is protected by - Wealthy pressure groups may
judicial independence to protect pursue their own interests and
citizens leaders are not accountable
- There is no codified constitution so
power distribution is undefined
Evaluate the ways of reforming UK democracy.
For Against
- Compulsory voting; greater - Compulsory voting; mask deeper
government legitimacy, political engagement issues, could
participation is a civic duty, citizens encourage non serious voting, could
acting to full potential be considered violation of individual
- Lowering the voting age; voting at freedom
16 would match other aspects of - Lowering the voting age; 16 is too
citizenship at this age, the views of young to vote almost are in full time
this group are marginalised and it education living with parents, and
may help to engage younger voters young voters are less likely to vote
- eDemocracy; citizens can express so would result in decline in turnout
views without having to leave home, percentage
new technology increases access to - eDemocracy; risk of hacking could
information, creates genuinely undermine legitimacy of elections
democratic process and creates (e.g. 2016 US elections hacking),
active citizens and threatens to turn democracy into
push button referendums which
erodes importance
Evaluate the use of pressure groups in UK democracy.
For Against
- Enable individuals to participate in - Can be divisive and self and
political process between elections powerful groups can dominate
- Reflect system of pluralist issues e.g. trade union strikes (BMA
democracy giving citizens another 2012, FBU 2013 and NHS 2014)
voice in the decision making process - Good at stopping things others feel
- Counterbalance the tyranny of the are needed e.g. HS2 opposition;
majority by acting on behalf of environment v economic benefits
minorities e.g. Stonewall - Pressure groups are not
campaigning for equality for gay accountable for their actions despite
people. Helped lead to 2014 their influence on policy e.g. British
legalisation of gay marriage Bankers Association close links with
- Bring expert knowledge to the government and stopped severe
government’s attention on important punishments to banking sector post
issues banking collapse
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