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Essay Plans - Government and politics in the UK $9.68
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Essay Plans - Government and politics in the UK

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9 markers & 25 markers essay plans for topics listed in AQA Government and Politics A-level Paper 1

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  • September 5, 2023
  • 8
  • 2022/2023
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Elections & Referendums


Explain and analyze 3 ways the media influences elections. (9)

P – purchasing ads, makes it easier to outlet parties, needed for capturing “float vote.”

Ex – no restrictions posed if spending declared to advertising agencies, national reach, front-page.

Ev – Tory 2017, criticized for front page ads, Cons comparing Lab to Communism 83.’

An – demographic targeted, social media increase BUT buying space favors wealthy party, Tories.

P – newspaper & readership, newspapers influence readership by putting their support in

Ex – papers impact views, drip effect slowly changes minds or people buy a paper reflecting views.

Ev – 1992: Sun claimed that “It’s the sun wot won it” Major’s victory 1997: support Blair. Landslide.

An – traditional method, social media impacts BUT Tories adapted (factcheck twitter account)

P – TV debates, since 2010, iteration of party leader debates. ¼ voters changed mind after it

Ex – Leader debates, interest, high views, and positive results, exposure can help the smaller parties.

Ev – Nick Clegg LD victory debating Brown & Cameron, for over half of 1000 people. viewing figures
7.34 mill to 4.42 mill.

An – creates rare opportunity as incumbents do not like it. BUT not compulsory, May in 2017.

Explain and analyse 3 reasons why referendums undermine/enhance democracy (9)

P – tyranny of the majority.

Ex – majority imposing will on minority rights, when divide between opinions of different groups.

Ev – Brexit referendum 2016, slim majority 52% to 48%, low TO London Mayor 24%.

An – increase popular participation, 2001 Croydon council rent freezes & council tax levels TO high
on Scottish ind, issue > electoral system.

P – easily manipulated.

Ex – vulnerable to politicians and interest groups, wording phrased to encourage positive response.

Ev – 2014 Scottish independence, ‘do you agree Scotland should be an independent country?’

An – provides definite answer to politically sensitive issues, 1973 Northern Ireland border poll.

P – reduce the role of elected representatives.

Ex – used too frequently or on significant issues, undermine elected reps, diminish accountability.

Ev – devolution has furthered refs, devolution on Wales, undermines parliamentary sovereignty.

An – act as a check on gov power by overcoming political disunity, AV reform 2011 referendum.

, Elections & Referendums


Explain and analyse 3 reasons why referendums are called. (9)

P – overcome political disunity.

Ex – resolve divisive or contentious issues, where elected officials unable to make the decisions.

Ev – 2016 Brexit referendum, decision to leave 52 to 48, voters decide as too decisive for gov.

An – divisions afterwards, Cameron resigns, unfair platform, leave fined for breaking spending limits.

P – legitimise constitutional change.

Ex – called to amend/revise UK constitution when sig change, approved by citizens, legitimacy.

Ev – 1997 Wales devolution referendum, 1979 Scotland assembly referendum.

An – low TO, Wales 50.22%, Scotland, rejected as only 32.9% of electorate.

P – settle complex ethical and moral issues.

Ex – provide forcing advocates on both sides to articulate their positions, promote public debate.

Ev – 2000, Souter private ref to prevent repealing Section 28, clarity against homophobic views.

An – private referendum, infrequent use because it’s too costly, wouldn’t happen.

Explain and analyze 3 theories of voting behavior. (9)

P – rational choice theory.

Ex – voters’ rational actors, cost-benefit analysis, vote if benefits outweigh cost, saliency of issues.

Ev – 2010 Lab loss NHS lost saliency: issue of crime salient. 2019 issue of Brexit allowed Tory win.

An – struggles to explain voters do not need to vote, do it out of duty (Blais) no-one should vote.

P – sociological model.

Ex – Butler & Stokes, influenced social identity, class most influential.

Ev – 1945-1979, manual & non-manual workers identify parties representing certain class.

An – no longer single most influential factor, deindustrialization 1980s, WC split, diverse range of
parties, SDP 1983, UKIP & Green 2015.

P – valence model.

Ex – electorate hold similar views on an issue, make judgments, swayed by short-term factors.

Ev – economy, 2008, Lab & financial crisis, lose 2010 & 2015. Weak leaders, Miliband/Clegg 2015.

An – difficult to measure & test empirically, does not fully capture complexity of voting behavior.

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