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Summary - Democracy and Participation
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Democracy and ParticipationAre pressure groups beneficial or harmful to democracy:
Beneficial: Harmful:
Help disperse power and influence widely Some are elitist and concentrate power into a few
hands
Educate the public about important political issues- Influential pressure groups may distort information in
extinction rebellion educate both public and their own interests- fathers for justice did not consider
government to do something about climate change. the mother’s perspectives in their campaigns.
This may have contributed to the idea of COP26.
Give people more opportunities to participate in Use of civil disobedience and illegal actions may
politics without having to sacrifice too much time and undermine the freedoms and rights of other citizens.
attention Insulate Britain is an example of this.
Promote the interests and rights of minorities- Black Internally undemocratic and do not represent their
Lives Matter movement educated others and shed members
light on injustices
Call government to account Some pressure groups have a leverage-
disproportionate financial stability.
Evaluate the view that the UK is in urgent need of a democratic reform:
YES: NO:
Replace FPTP system as it would remove negative Proportional systems make coalitions more likely, and
features such as: safe seats, minority constituencies, it is harder to hold people to account- more complex
unfair representation and may risk losing MP-constituency link
Replace unelected house of lords which makes Might cause a greater rivalry with the house of
country more democratic commons and cause a gridlock. The lords have
expertise, and this would be replaced by career
politicians
Introduce state party funding which removes the Many taxpayers reject this idea as they do not want
need to get money from powerful groups that donate money going to a party which they do not support.
for their own benefit. Allow politicians to focus on their The process of fundraising allows politicians to create
main job rather than fundraising. a bond with the people. Many would be confused on
how funding would be allocated.
Create a devolved English parliament to equalise England is too large for it to work within a single
devolution and solve the West Lothian Question devolved system and too much power would be
where MPs can vote on matters that do not affect concentrated (parliament). The north east referendum
their constituents. also showed people do not want devolved regional
powers.
Should 16/17-year-old be given the right to vote?
YES: NO:
With the spread of citizenship education, young Too young to make rational decisions
people are more educated
May encourage more people to vote The voter turnout for 18–24-year-olds is generally low
(35%) while over 65s have high voter turnouts of
around 80%. Shows government there is no demand
for it
Internet and social media allow young people to Many issues are too complex for young people to
become politically engaged understand them
If one is old enough to serve, get married or pay tax Few people pay tax so they have a lower stake in
then they should be able to vote society- do not have the same responsibilities as
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