Plans made for the 2022 summer exams. Grade A achieved (A* predicted). Providing a multitude of relevant examples and points that can be incorporated to various questions. Essay plans with coherent structure as points and counter points are comparable and easy to evaluate. Many analysis points pro...
Best form of democracy, people decide for themselves
● “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
● Allows people to make decisions on issues that affect their life rather than allowing
representatives to do so. People are responsible for the result rather than politicised
MP’s, (enhances democracy).
● unpopular decisions cannot be made like they are in parliament
● Example: Scottish referendum tackles a decision that affects scottish people as it causes
repercussions for them. Fair way to determine outcome
● Some referendums arise from a genuine desire on the part of the national or local
government to engage with or to enthuse the public for a scheme of significant change.
Ex. There have been over 50 referendums in England and Wales on the question of
whether certain towns and cities should have directly elected mayors.
HOWEVER, MANIPULATION
- Means people are not actually making decisions for themselves but are heavily impacted
by politicians, undermines the idea of direct democracy
- Example: days before scottish referendum Cameron, milliband and Clegg signed a joint
pledge promising “extensive new powers” to scottish parliament if the majority of voters
opposed independence. Significant because most people wanted devolution --->
changed people's votes
- Influenced by the fact that yes was in the lead
- Also politicians lie, “350 pounds to EU every year” brexit statement, people fooled easily
Referendums Increase participation, more democratic
- 1997 general election turnout 76%, Good friday referendum 81%
- Scottish referendum 85% turnout, 90% in some places
- Good because people are distancing themselves from parties and MPs and this doesn't
require them to put trust in those
- Significant because UK has participation crisis as seen with current turnout numbers
However, MPs are more informed and citizens can be misinformed/not aware
- Elected representatives may have greater expertise and experience
- Allowing 16 year olds to vote in scotland referendum , irresponsible
- People not extensively involved in politics like MPs
- may make ill-informed decisions based on partial knowledge or on the basis of unrelated
factors
- People are easily misinformed by media, don't understand consequences
- 19% of MPs went to oxbridge
Example: people being misinformed about consequences of brexit - 350 million a year
campaign
, Referendums can be used to end issues which allows the country to move forward
- Example brexit had been an issue in the conservative party for years and people were
divided. Referendum allows a decision to be made and the government can act
accordingly
- In 1975 UK referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EC, an issue over which
the ruling Labour government was deeply divided
- holding a referendum can help reach a solution on the issue without splitting the party
However, they don't achieve their goal
Example: Scotland wanted devolution not independence
seen as a means available to elected representatives to avoid having to take an unpopular
position on a controversial issue - further amplifies that MPs cannot be trusted.
1.3 Pressure groups
Factors relevant in deciding effectiveness of pressure groups:
(essay may ask to compare factors)
Resources
- A large membership who pay subscription fees is likely to have the financial resources to
run offices, pay permanent staff and organise publicity.
- Ex. RSPCA employs 1600 people, supported by thousands of volunteers, and can
afford to take out full page advertisements in national newspapers.
- The size of a pressure group’ membership can also be important in persuading the
government (reflects a significant section of public opinion).
However this is not always the case
- The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament had an estimated 110,000 members in the
mid-80s but the Thatcher government could afford to ignore its large and
well-orchestrated demonstrations, because it could rely on the passive support of the
majority of the population.
Tactics and Leadership
- Experienced, capable leadership is vital for success.
- Ex. RSPCA played a key role in securing the ban on hunting with dogs in 2004 by
collaborating with two similar groups, (The League Against Cruel Sports) and (The
International Fund For Animal Welfare), so that they were not competing with each
other.
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