UK Politics essay plans
Evaluate the extent to which rights are effectively protected in the UK - ANS Intro;- Human rights, or
natural rights, are rights that individuals are naturally entitled to. These rights are absolute, universal
and fundamental. They also form the basis of individual protection against government intrusion.
P1 - Judiciary
- the part of a country's government that is responsible for its legal system and which consists of all the
judges in the country's courts of law.
- Enhanced measures of Judicial Independence = more independent from the other 2 branches of
government and can thus defend rights without political pressure
- An example of this, can be seen in the fact that Judges salaries are paid out of the Independent budget
(Consolidated fund) without possibility of manipulation
- High Court judges are on a salary of £185,197 (Outer House) and £210,876 (Inner House) a year (April
2018).
- Furthermore, Judges are relatively neutral by nature and this can protect a person's rights without
discrimination = more effective. Judges must recuse themselves from cases involving friends and family.
- HOWEVER, due to the UK's uncodified cons, Judiciary can't strike down primary legislation even if
there's an abuse of HR, they are powerless if it is enshrined in primary legislation.
- Furthermore, while technically independent senior judges work with parliament to advise on the
legality of legislation = role in legislation creation = undermine independence and neutrality.
P2 - Parliament
- In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern
parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the
government.
- Parliament is meant to be representative of the people and thus can reflect the values of society and is
= open to more HR issues from many backgrounds.
- MP's represent constituents and can raise issues of citiz
Evaluate the factors that determine the success of pressure groups in the UK - Yes - ANS Intro - A
pressure group is a collection of people who have the aim of changing or affecting government policy
, without ever trying to join the government, or who attempt to influence public opinion in one way or
another.
P1 - SIZE `- Larger pressure groups can have a more significant impact on public opinion and force the
government into acting on a matter.
- This is since methods such as protest become more effective when there are larger groups of people
- Snowdrop Campaign was largely backed and is an example of size, ostensibly, being the main
determinant in pressure group success.
- Size is also important for pressure groups in an operational sense, as larger pressure groups can raise
more money through memberships and thus increase their exposure through advertising.
- An example of this benefit can be seen in the fact that the RSPCA has over 1600 employees that keep it
running efficiently, due to having such a large membership the RSPCA can keep its staff and keep
running effectively.
P2 - WEALTH
- Larger funds mean that the pressure group can improve its organization and act more effectively thus
improving chances of success. Employees, advertising and offices all cost money.
- RSPCA can produce effective advertising campaigns around Christmas that effectively spread their
message to people
- They are the number 1 animal welfare charity in the UK
- Wealth arguably goes beyond factors like size as here are examples of smaller wealthy groups that are
equally able to achieve success. For example, the Taxpayer's Alliance who are prominent in promoting a
low tax Britain
- Depends on the aim of the organisation if they aim to change government policy insider v outsider may
be more effective.
P3 - Public Opinion
- Snowdrop campaign to ban handgun use in the UK was able to campaign more effectively when public
opinion
Evaluate the view that pressure groups in the UK undermine democracy - ANS Intro - A pressure group
is a collection of people who have the aim of changing or affecting government policy without ever
trying to join the government, or who attempt to influence public opinion in one way or another
Evaluate the extent to which rights are effectively protected in the UK - ANS Intro;- Human rights, or
natural rights, are rights that individuals are naturally entitled to. These rights are absolute, universal
and fundamental. They also form the basis of individual protection against government intrusion.
P1 - Judiciary
- the part of a country's government that is responsible for its legal system and which consists of all the
judges in the country's courts of law.
- Enhanced measures of Judicial Independence = more independent from the other 2 branches of
government and can thus defend rights without political pressure
- An example of this, can be seen in the fact that Judges salaries are paid out of the Independent budget
(Consolidated fund) without possibility of manipulation
- High Court judges are on a salary of £185,197 (Outer House) and £210,876 (Inner House) a year (April
2018).
- Furthermore, Judges are relatively neutral by nature and this can protect a person's rights without
discrimination = more effective. Judges must recuse themselves from cases involving friends and family.
- HOWEVER, due to the UK's uncodified cons, Judiciary can't strike down primary legislation even if
there's an abuse of HR, they are powerless if it is enshrined in primary legislation.
- Furthermore, while technically independent senior judges work with parliament to advise on the
legality of legislation = role in legislation creation = undermine independence and neutrality.
P2 - Parliament
- In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern
parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the
government.
- Parliament is meant to be representative of the people and thus can reflect the values of society and is
= open to more HR issues from many backgrounds.
- MP's represent constituents and can raise issues of citiz
Evaluate the factors that determine the success of pressure groups in the UK - Yes - ANS Intro - A
pressure group is a collection of people who have the aim of changing or affecting government policy
, without ever trying to join the government, or who attempt to influence public opinion in one way or
another.
P1 - SIZE `- Larger pressure groups can have a more significant impact on public opinion and force the
government into acting on a matter.
- This is since methods such as protest become more effective when there are larger groups of people
- Snowdrop Campaign was largely backed and is an example of size, ostensibly, being the main
determinant in pressure group success.
- Size is also important for pressure groups in an operational sense, as larger pressure groups can raise
more money through memberships and thus increase their exposure through advertising.
- An example of this benefit can be seen in the fact that the RSPCA has over 1600 employees that keep it
running efficiently, due to having such a large membership the RSPCA can keep its staff and keep
running effectively.
P2 - WEALTH
- Larger funds mean that the pressure group can improve its organization and act more effectively thus
improving chances of success. Employees, advertising and offices all cost money.
- RSPCA can produce effective advertising campaigns around Christmas that effectively spread their
message to people
- They are the number 1 animal welfare charity in the UK
- Wealth arguably goes beyond factors like size as here are examples of smaller wealthy groups that are
equally able to achieve success. For example, the Taxpayer's Alliance who are prominent in promoting a
low tax Britain
- Depends on the aim of the organisation if they aim to change government policy insider v outsider may
be more effective.
P3 - Public Opinion
- Snowdrop campaign to ban handgun use in the UK was able to campaign more effectively when public
opinion
Evaluate the view that pressure groups in the UK undermine democracy - ANS Intro - A pressure group
is a collection of people who have the aim of changing or affecting government policy without ever
trying to join the government, or who attempt to influence public opinion in one way or another
