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Paper 1 Politics A-level essay plans
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Paper 1 Politics A-Level Essay Questions and Answers.
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Politics 1 essay plansDemocracy and participation
Will the greater use of direct democracy improve UK’s democracy?
- The reason behind such low turnout is due to voters feeling their vote is not important. Especially
those who live in a safe seat. This is due to the current FPTP system. Roughly only 60-70% of people
vote in each general election. A more proportional voting system or direct democracy would
encourage greater turnout as people would feel represented. Minor parties could be more successful.
Could lead to a rise of extremist parties which are curbed by the current FPTP system. For example,
rise of BNP and National Front but not influential in government.
- Representatives are not actually representative of the people within their constituency. For example,
29% of MPs are privately educated, while only 7% of the country is. Direct democracy may be more
significant as MPs may be considered biased to the executive. Direct democracy enhances
representation by allowing popular sovereignty to be expressed.
- However, many people believe that forms of direct democracy undermine government sovereignty.
Pressure on the government to honour the will of the people. Many people who may have voted for
Brexit are disappointed with the outcome and the deal agreed. Referendums single answer – cannot
gain understanding of true public wishes e.g., how Brexit should have been carried out.
- Referendums frequently used in countries such as Switzerland and allows people to choose when a
referendum is held if 10% population votes for it to take place. Referendum led to banning of Burkha.
Greater choice leads to greater engagement. Voter apathy – low turnouts in referendums, frequently
lower than 20%. Demonstrates there is a lack of demand for direct democracy. Some choose to have
decision made for them. AV referendum low turnout of 42%.
- Vote directly rather than voting for MP to represent their view. Potential for MP to not to uphold
constituency demands. Important decisions that will impact the lives of the public in a major way
should not be determined by a select few representatives. Cohesive power – manipulation by
intelligent and influential people. Can lead to the spread of misinformation. During the EU
referendum Johnson came out with the statement claiming that Turkey could potentially be joining
the EU, despite this being untrue it scared many people into voting for Brexit to go ahead as they
feared the influx of immigrants from Turkey.
Using the source, evaluate the view that direct democracy should be used more frequently in the UK.
Direct democracy is the idea that decision making, and policies should not be controlled by MPs or a
government but should instead be decided by the public. While there is a push for more direct democracy to
be used in British politics there are already multiple ways in which direct democracy can be seen. This can be
through the form of referendums, e-petitions, consultative exercises and recall votes. There is however a
greater push for even more direct democracy and is it often debated as to whether or not it should be used
more frequently as a political tool in the UK.
- Check on the tendency of representatives to become disconnected from their electors. Prevent MPs
becoming disconnected and taking up second jobs. For example, more recently Conservative
politicians and the Tory party in general have come under fire regarding second jobs which many of
their politicians hold after it was revealed that Owen Patterson was breaking lobbying rules and using
is parliamentary office for his consultancy work.
- The increase in social media as a form of sharing opinion has been significant in promoting self-
governance and allowing vital communication between candidates and the electorate. An example of
a way in which social media has brought about significant change is through online petitions. For
example, in 2018 1.6 million people signed a petition to stop President Donald Trump from making a
State visit to the UK. This was discussed in parliament and his visit was changed to a working visit.
- Citizens can educate their representatives on their visions. Providing MPs with constructive criticism
and ways on improving. For example, MPs Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry went against the vote of the
Conservative party and voted in favour of giving Parliament a vote on any Brexit deal that was
reached, representing the views of their constituencies.
- Low turnout in referendums. A referendum can be regarded as a form of democratic self-governance.
In the 2011 referendum regarding changing the UKs electoral system from FPTP to AV, voter turnout
was extremely low at only 42%. Questions legitimacy of the result as so few people voted.
, - A lack of public understanding on some topics. It can be questioned as to whether decision making
when it comes to influential decisions should be left to experts who are more knowledgeable
regarding the matter at hand. Public can be easily manipulated by politicians. Brexit immigration fear-
mongering.
- Social media can also have negative impact and the spread of misinformation can be detrimental in
misleading the public and altering public opinion. For example, during the Brexit referendum Boris
Johnson made false comments regarding Turkey’s status as a potential member of the EU. This caused
fear in many voters who were worried about an increase in immigration.
Evaluate the extent to which the UK is suffering from a participation crisis.
The success in establishing a democratic political system is dependent on the participation of the public. In
comparison to many other countries, it can be said that Britain has an established and knowledgeable
electorate. However, UK election turnouts have been falling since 1997 and it can present the question of
whether or not modern Britain is suffering from a participation crisis.
- Extremely low voter turnout amongst younger generations can cause concern for the future stability
of politics if this trend continues. For example, in the 2017 general election only 57% of 18–19-year-
olds voted, whereas 84% of 70+ year olds voted.
- There also tends to be especially low voter turnout in referendums. For example, in the 2011
referendum regarding whether or not Britain should change to using the AV system there was a low
voter turnout of only 42%, expressing a general public disinterest in engaging with politics.
- Concerns in a participation crisis have led to the debate in whether or not compulsory voting should
be introduced as a way of combating this crisis. This would force engagement in politics and would
increase public education on political matters. This is in place in countries like Australia. This is
particularly significant as it legitimises the outcome of the election as everyone has contributed to the
results. For example, in 2017 the turnout for the general election was only 68.7% whereas it had once
been 77.7% in 1992.
- Party membership falling. Parties becoming more centrist – less party identification. Class
dealignment/partisan dealignment.
- The success in turnouts of referendums such as the Brexit referendum can be evident that if the
public is informed on what decision they are making turnout will be a lot higher. Campaigning and
voting encouragement was extremely high during the Brexit referendum and can potentially be
credited for the reason behind a voter turnout of 72% which is higher than the majority of elections.
- Although the membership of party’s has dropped as people have become less involved in formal
politics this cannot be generalised. In 2018 there was an increase in voting memberships with Labour
having 552,000 members and the SNP increasing in memberships by almost 100,000. The
engagement of young people is also apparent as the RSPB has over 1 million members including
195,000 youth members. This growth suggests that when represented correctly people are more
likely to engage and show interest in politics.
- While general election turnout is lower than the highs of the 70s it has been steadily increasing, 61.4%
of the electorate participated in the 2005 election, whereas, 68.7% in 2017. Many people may argue
that the real crisis is to do with our electoral system. For politically active people living in safe seats, it
could arguably make more sense to abstain from elections and participate in other ways. Lack of
voting may demonstrate contentment.
Evaluate the extent to which UK democracy is in urgent need of reform.
Evaluate the view that the UK political system is democratic – opposite points.
Democracy can be defined as a form of government in which the people have authority to make decisions. In
the UK representative democracy is used. This is when the public elect MPs who will represent them in
parliament. Other forms of democracy include direct democracy which involved citizens themselves making
political decisions rather than their representatives. The UK parliament is often criticised for being an
unrepresentative form of democracy and for this reason it is debated as to whether democratic reform is
necessary in Britain.
- Low voter turnout. It is often argued that the reason behind such a low voter turnout is due to many
voters feeling their vote is not important. Especially those who live in a safe seat. This is due to the
current FPTP system. Roughly only 60-70% of people vote in each general election and in referendums
the turnout can often fall below 50%. While general election turnout is lower than the highs of the
, 70s it has been steadily increasing, 61.4% of the electorate participated in the 2005 election, whereas,
68.7% in 2017. Lack of voting may demonstrate contentment.
- Representatives are not actually representative of the people within their constituencies. For
example, 29% of MPs are privately educated, while only 7% of the country is privately educated.
Although the lowest it has ever been this number is still not representative of the greater British
public.
- The lack of a proportional voting system in Britain means that many minor parties are
underrepresented in government, while major parties are overrepresented. In the 2015 General
Election UKIP received 12.6% of the vote but only 1 seat in parliament. Whereas Conservatives
received 36.9% of the vote and over half of the seats. For politically active people living in safe seats,
it could arguably make more sense to abstain from elections and participate in other ways.
- Attempts to reform UK democracy, such as the 2011 referendum regarding the AV system, were
unsuccessful. The result was that 68% of people were in favour of keeping the current voting system.
This suggests that democratic reform in the form of electoral reform is unwelcome by the public.
- Countries such as Australia that have reformed their political system in order to make it more
democratic by introducing compulsory voting have seen higher engagement and education in political
matters. Over 90% of people vote, however it is often criticised whether it is democratic to force
people to vote
- Some signs indicate that despite Westminster being unrepresentative it is moving in the direction of
becoming more so. The 2017 General election produced the most diverse House of Commons ever. Of
the 650 MPs, 8% are from ethnic minorities, 32% are female and 7% are LGBT. 2019 increasingly more
young MPs. 130 MPs below the age of 40.
Evaluate the extent to which tactics they deploy are the most important reason for the success or failure of
pressure groups and other collective organisations.
The UK is a pluralist democracy, which means that political power and influence is distributed so that different
groups can compete to influence the government in their favour. Pressure groups are an example of these
organisations and can be categorised into cause groups, that promote a particular issue, sectional groups,
which represent the interest of a particular group, insider groups, that have access to political decision making
and outsider groups that do not possess this same access. There are many ways that organisations such as
pressure groups achieve their aim, including through resources, expertise and tactics. It is often debated
whether tactics are the most influential reason for a groups success or whether other factors have a greater
impact.
- Important for pressure groups that do not have insider access. Outsider groups rely on tactics to
support their aims. Public support is one of the biggest ways that outsider groups can be influential.
Support is mostly generated through media and social media which publicises and highlights the aims
of a pressure group. For example, Amnesty International is an insider group that campaigns globally
for human rights. They have a huge social media support which they rely on the inform supporters
and educate the public.
- Civil disobedience is a tactic used by some outsider pressure groups although extreme can highlight
dedication to their cause and create immediate publicity. This is a convenient tactic used by many. For
example, Insulate Britain protested by disrupting traffic on main roads and some going as far to glue
themselves to the roads. Although pressure groups can greatly benefit from civil disobedience,
extreme cases such as Insulate Britain protests can hinder the pressure groups cause more than it can
benefit them. Many people may overlook their aim and instead ridicule them for their behaviour. This
was apparent as a result of Insulate Britain protests and resulted in the production of satire media.
2023 Just Stop Oil protester disrupted snooker match.
- Tactics are important for pressure groups that do not have masses of funding to support lobbying for
their aim and for groups that are overlooked by government. They work on mostly gaining public
support and gaining attention from their support. Celebrity endorsement is an example of a tactic that
is used. For example, Joanna Lumley was closely associated with the Gurkha Justice campaign and was
helpful in allowing the group to secure its objective. Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) supported BMA
junior doctors strikes.
- While tactics can help to gain an organisation popularity other factor can be considered just a
significant in the success of these groups. Resources is one of these. A pressure group or organisation
that has access to funding can campaign greater and use lobbying in order to achieve their aims.
Insider groups usually benefit most from this whereas outside groups mostly rely on publicity.
, - For example, BMA has over 158,000 members which consist of experts in many professions.
Regardless of tactics if an organisation has a stable campaign which is backed by experts and
knowledge, they are more likely to be successful in achieving their aims. Insider groups may also
benefit from being close to government officials and having the ability to influence policy making,
especially when the government needs experts. For example, the BMA and other medical associations
have been particularly influential in the policy making and decision making behind COVID restrictions
and prevention measures. Shifted since demands for wage increases for junior doctors 2023 – lack of
cohesion between BMA and govt. Striking action deemed more necessary.
Evaluate the view that think-tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government
decisions.
A pressure group is a broad term encompassing any political group that attempts to influence those in power
without seeking power themselves. There are two types of pressure groups: insider and outsider. While insider
pressure groups work with the government to achieve their aims, outsider pressure groups do not work with
the government. Think tanks and lobbyists are insider pressure groups since they achieve their aims by
intimately working with the government. In the UK, think tanks and lobbyists have influenced government
decisions, but the role they play has been diminished as a result of public unease (in the case of lobbyists) and
the general de-ideologization of established political parties (in the case of think tanks).
- Impact of PG depends on its nature. Insider PG works with the govt and are often consulted by the
govt for insights on how policies may impact a particular sector of society. National Union of Farmers,
Confederation of British Industry and British Medical Association all examples of PG that seek to
influence govt but that the govt also seeks to consult. Often have views that are in line with those of
the govt. for example, the BMA managed to pressure the govt to increasing spending on the NHS by
3.4% per annum from 2019 to 2024. CBI managed to pressure the govt to give more powers to
devolved govts. In 2018 NI Civil Service was provided more powers by the UK govt. 2023 junior
doctors and nurses strikes – unable to negotiate wadge settlement.
- Outsider PG have not secured similar successes. These groups maintain their distance from the govt
to ensure ideological purity, which may be threatened through compromises with the mainstream. It
may also be that they do not have access due to their lack of funds or exposure. To influence govt
policy, they need to resort to public awareness, protests of civil disobedience. In the UK, one of the
most out-spoken outsider PG is Extinction Rebellion. Their actions however often lead to public
disapproval but also legal repercussions that may harm the groups legitimacy. Animal Rising protests
at Grand National over animal rights.
- Think tanks are a very specific type of insider PG. They are made up of experts from different
backgrounds who share the same political philosophy and organise into think tanks to create policies
on other issues from a shared political standpoint. Political parties often consult with think tanks for
inspiration. They have more time and expertise and therefore create consistent policies on several
issues from a shared political standpoint. Classical Liberal and conservative thinks tanks have had an
increasing influence on the current Tory government. They often become appointed into the govt.
Iain Duncan Smith was the founder of the Centre for Social Justice. Think Tanks have an increasingly
influential role and their members can end up as direct members of existing govts.
- Think tanks can only be influential if their respective ideology is in power. Because the Conservatives
hold most of the power, LW think tanks such as the Fabian Society have almost no influence on govt
policies. Thus the influence of think tanks depends heavily on who is in power. Legislation must still be
passed by parliament, and this includes members of the opposition who need to approve bills.
Compromises have to be made as a result and the original proposals may not be followed. Political
parties have become less ideological meaning that ideologically driven think tanks cannot wield much
influence since pragmatism was favoured by both major parties.
- Lobbyists are firms paid for by private clients who seek govt access to influence legislation. Lobbying
remains a large and active business with almost 2 billion pounds spent per year. While this shows that
lobbyists are influential the lack of transparency in the work makes it hard to see what real impact
lobby firms have on govt decisions. Politicians have often switched between being in office and
working as lobbyists for corporations. This is referred to as the ‘revolving door’ 52 former ministers
practice today for such firms.
- Lack of transparency has raised red flag for the public. In 2014 Parliament passed the Transparency of
Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act which mandated that all
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