Edexcel A Level Government and
Politics Paper 1 June 2024 Exam
Questions and Answers
Direct democracy - Answer>>all individuals express their
opinions themselves and not through representatives acting on
their behalf
Representative democracy - Answer>>an individual selects a
person to act on their behalf
Similarities of representative and direct democracy -
Answer>>based on a majority
Differences of direct and representative democracy -
Answer>>direct is not elective,
direct is for individuals,
direct has more citizen involvement
Legitimacy - Answer>>the right to exercise power
Democratic deficit - Answer>>a deficiency in the way a
democratic body works
Positives of UK's democracy - Answer>>fair and free elections,
free from intimidation,
wide choice of parties,
press freedom,
independant judiciary
Negatives of UK's democracy - Answer>>under representation
of minorities,
can't vote for lords,
doesn't protect rights
,press is owned by millionaires
Examples of declining participation - Answer>>2001 turnout
was lowest since WWII (59.4%),
conservative party has lost members (124,000 members in 2018)
Examples of rising participation - Answer>>labour biggest party
in europe (552,000 members),
turnout rising (68.6% 2017),
e-democracy
Franchise / suffrage - Answer>>the ability to vote in public
elections
Pluralism - Answer>>lots of people have a say
Elitism - Answer>>only a select few have a say
To be able to vote you must: - Answer>>be 18+,
be a registered british/irish citizen
To be able to vote you cannot: - Answer>>be under 18,
be a member of the house of lords,
be convicted of illegal electoral practise,
detained in a psychiatric hospital
Great reform act 1832 - Answer>>created 67 new
constituencies, included small land owners, tenant farmers and
shopkeepers in the property qualification and gave the vote to all
householders who paid a yearly rent of £10+
Representation of the people act 1918 - Answer>>allowed men
21+ (with/without property) and women 30+ who live in the
constituency or owned land worth £5+ to vote
,Representation of the people act 1928 - Answer>>gave women
electoral equality (21+ with/without property)
Representation of the people act 1948 - Answer>>abolished
plural voting (2 separate uni votes) and increased MP's to 613
Representation of the people act 1969 - Answer>>voting age
reduced to 18 to reflect change in view on adulthood
For lowering voting age to 16: - Answer>>already trusted with
legal rights (leave school, work, army),
have to learn about politics in school,
voting earlier increases chance of involvement,
affects their future
Against lowering voting age to 16: - Answer>>some lack
maturity,
may be influenced by parents,
scottish referendum isn't fair because it had an unusually high
turnout,
only a few countries allow 16 year olds to vote
Electoral Reform Society - Answer>>longest standing pro
democracy organization (1884), formed to provide better
democracy where everyone votes and is treated equally, works
with activists and politicians
Electoral reform society campaigns - Answer>>elected house of
lords,
votes at 16,
local democracy,
replace FPTP with STV
, Votes at 16 - Answer>>formed in january 2003, want the voting
age lowered to 16 as it affects young people's future
Pressure group - Answer>>an organised group that seeks to
influence government policy or legislation
Pluralism - Answer>>the recognition and affirmation of diversity
within a political body which permits the peaceful coexistence of
different interests, convictions and lifestyles
Pressure group features: - Answer>>want to influence policy,
usually single issue,
more of them,
represent an issue that isn't supported by the wider public
Political parties features: - Answer>>want to make policy and
run the country,
aim to win power,
few parties,
have a wide range of policies to accommodate a wide range of
views,
create laws
Sectional pressure groups - Answer>>a specific group that
promotes the interest of an occupation or group in society
Sectional pressure group examples - Answer>>trade unions,
national union of teachers, british medical association
Cause pressure groups - Answer>>aims to change opinions
and attitudes, open to everyone
Cause pressure groups examples - Answer>>greenpeace,
PDSA, RSPCA
