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Summary Democracy and particpation
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This document contains all the key word and necessary analysis for an in depth understanding of the topic democracy and participation in UK politics.
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Key WordsAuthority: The right to exercise power, authority is granted to rulers or anyone in power. Power without authority is
just mere force.
Legitimacy: The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely held agreements, such as a
government right to rule following an election.
Government: The party that forms the executive and gives the state political direction.
Features of UK DEMOCRACY Pressure groups
CORE: Pressure groups differ from political parties, they:
➢ Democratic Elections ❖ Do not usually enter candidates into elections
➢ Parliament ❖ Do not seek to exercise the power themselves
➢ Pressure groups ❖ Rather they seek to influence government to
➢ Individual rights adopt their idea
Supplementary:
➢ Referendums
➢ Devolution
➢ European parliament
Pressure Groups Political Parties
Seek to exert influence Seek to win power
Narrow issue focus Broad issue focus
Shared interests/ common causes Shared preferences
Types Of pressure groups
Promotional Groups:
• Concerned with a cause or issue and so are interested in the welfare of the community in general
• Environmental groups such as green peace
Sectional groups:
• Self-interested and seek to further the interest of their own members
• The trade union congress is an example
•
, Sectional Groups Promotional groups
Defend interest Promote causes
Closed memberships Open memberships
Material concerns a group 'of' Moral concerns a group 'for'
Benefit members only Benefit others or wider society
Some pressure groups have both sectional and promotional characteristics, such as UK Coalition of
people living with Aids. Single pressure groups may involve members from both sectional and
promotional pressure groups, such as the 3rd Runway at Heathrow. Some have more influence due to:
resources, tactics and leadership, public support and government attitudes Pressure groups mask
their sectional interests by adopting the language of a promotional group (BMA).
Types of pressure group
• Insider Groups: are consulted on a regular basis by government and they operate within the
decision making, such as BMA
• Outsider Groups: have no special link with government and exert influence indirectly, such
as campaign for nuclear disarmament.
Key Words
Think Tanks: A body of experts brought together to collectively focus on certain topics – to investigate and offer
solutions to complicated social, economic or political issues
Lobbyist: A lobbyist is paid by clients to influence government and/ or MPs and members of the House of Lords,
to act in a way for their client's best interest, especially when legislation is involved.
Functions of Pressure Groups:
1. Representation
2. Education
3. Policy Formation
4. Policy implementation
5. Political participation
How pressure groups exert influence?
• Affecting government policy
• Pushing issues up the political agenda
• Changing people's values, ideas and beliefs
• Influence political parties via funding
• Direct actions such as strikes
• Increased use of judicial review
How pressure groups promote democracy How pressure groups threaten democracy
Supplement electoral democracy Tyranny of the minority
Widen political participation Exert behind the scenes power
Promote education Increases political inequality
Ensure competition and debate Exercises non- legitimate power
Encourages a pluralist democracy Ulterior motives
A pluralist democracy describes a system where there is more then one centre of power.
Government makes decisions based on an interplay of ideas.
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