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Summary Essay Plans - Paper 1: UK Politics
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- Paper 1: UK Politics
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DEMOCRACYEvaluate the view that pressure groups are less influential than corporations in influencing government policy.
Introductions:
- In recent years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the lobbying of wealthy corporations that have an undue influence on
government policy.
- The recent Owen Paterson scandal illustrated the ability of big businesses to buy politicians. Influence refers to actual changed policies to
serve the interest of that company.
- Ultimately, this essay will conclude. That it is clear that apart from a few influential pressure groups, corporations have a much greater
influence on government policy.
P1: insider pressure groups
Disagree:
- Influential pressure groups are typically the groups with insider status - groups that enjoy close access to government agencies and
officials.
o The BMA is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK.
o One recent success is the winning of the judicial review.
o Disproportionate amount of influence on government policy due to their high status and class.
o Their influence is arguably amplified during the COVID pandemic as the government cannot afford to lose public support as a
consequence of seeming anti-doctor.
o Stonewall is a pressure group advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
o Since the introduction of Section 28, they have contributed to numerous policies and law regarding the LGBTQ+ society. This
can also be accredited to the changes in norms and values within society since the 80s, resulting in a more inclusive and
progressive government.
Agree:
- This is a weak argument, as these insider pressure groups are exceptions.
- The majority of pressure groups, in particular outside of groups, do not enjoy these privileges.
o Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion - despite gaining much media coverage, they have not had a great influence on the
government due to their radical aims, which aren't in line with the government’s priorities.
Overall = therefore undermines the strength of pressure groups - we can maintain the view that corporations have more influence than
pressure groups.
P2: Corporations
Agree:
- Power in the economy.
o A bank rescue package totalling some 500 billion was announced by the British Government on October the 8th, 2008 as a
response to the Global Financial Crisis.
- The management of the economy is arguably one of the best measurements of success over government.
- This means that corporations are too powerful for the government to allow them to fail - leading to the influence on decisions for their
business and economy to flourish.
o £1 billion of support for businesses most impacted by Omicron across the UK by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak.
- Pressure groups don't have the same level of influence in the economy, resulting in a lack of power within political discourse.
Overall = This is another strong argument that defends the view that corporations have more influence than pressure groups.
Disagree:
- This argument could be undermined by the instances where pressure groups achieve their goals despite the views of big corporations.
o Greenpeace and numerous environmental pressure groups were successful in delaying the decision for a third runway at
Heathrow.
o This was despite the support from major airlines such as British Airways, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic.
- One can say that pressure groups that have campaigned on free school meals, such as Marcus Rashford's campaign, have been
successful.
Overall = this is relevant evidence to be considered, However, it is not strong enough in comparison to the various examples of
billions of pounds spent for corporations. Therefore, we can maintain the view that corporations are more influential in government
policy.
P3: Corporations and lobbying
Agree:
- Even if one were to accept that their role in the economy is not a strong enough argument, the strongest argument for corporations is
their use of political lobbying.
- According to The Times, from 2015 to 2017, £25 million was spent on lobbying by big business. As mentioned, there are numerous
instances for politicians to be ‘bought’ by these wealthy corporations.
o The Greensill scandal - In 2020, David Cameron lobbied the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, via a series of text
messages to allow Greensill to join the COVID Corporate Financing Facility scheme to keep the company afloat.
o This highlights how ex ministers continue to have an unsavoury connections and lobby on behalf of their interests.
o Owen Paterson, a Conservative MP, recently had to resign after he was suspended from the House of Commons for flagrantly
lobbying on behalf of his company, where he had a second job.
- These examples outlined operations through wealth and resources can lobby politicians and gain influence via this route.
Overall = it is unlikely that pressure groups would have the same level of wealth and thus cannot compete for influence on an equal
playing field.
Disagree:
- There are laws made against lobbying.
o The ‘Transparency of Lobbying Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act, 2014’ was made to
enhance the transparency surrounding lobbying.
o Some people claim that it will protect ministers and their senior civil servants from confusion and conflicts, as they will now
know all the different interests represented by the influences for hire, they meet.
- On the surface, this seems to resolve the undemocratic influence lobbying holds.
o However - this system only creates a false sense of transparency. It will not be possible to tell from the information disclosed,
who is lobbying whom, on what issues, how much time and money is being devoted to influencing the political process, and
what tactics are being used.
, - Moreover, the register only covers consultant lobbyists, direct contact with the ministers and high-ranking officials, which in practise is
only a small part of lobbying activity.
Evaluate the view that direct democracy is superior to representative democracy?
Paragraph 1: genuine democracy
Agree: direct democracy is the only pure form of democracy.
- It ensures that people only have to obey laws that they make themselves.
- Popular participation in government is the very stuff of freedom: it is how the people determine their collective
destiny, their ‘general will’.
representative democracy always means that there is a gulf between government and the people.
- Lead to political apathy because citizens feel powerless when they want to make a change.
- Governments therefore govern in the name of the people, but, in practice, the people may have little
meaningful control over government.
o Nearly 50% of people in 2020, said that they felt they had no influence at all over the decision making
in the country as a whole.
Disagree: RD is the only form of democracy that can operate in large, modern societies like the UK.
- Practical solution to the problem of popular rule – and does not mean that RD cannot be complemented by
aspects of DD.
DD is only achievable in relatively small communities, especially in the form of government by mass meeting.
- Widley considered to be quite unworkable in modern political conditions.
- Athenian citizens devoted a great deal of time and energy to political activity. Also able to meet together in a
single place.
Paragraph 2: personal development
Agree: direct democracy creates better informed and more knowledgeable citizens.
- It has educational benefits.
- Direct and regular popular participation in government encourages people to take more interest in politics and
to better understand their own society – both how it works and how it should work.
in representative democracy, with votes taking place so infrequently, people can literally switch off from politics.
- Effective political understanding decreases.
o 30% say they have never discussed government and politics with others.
- This reduces the ability of people to learn about the relevant alternative choices and their likely outcomes,
which are necessary for effective participation and voting equality.
Disagree: RD places decision making in the hands of the politicians who have better education and greater expertise
than the mass of the people.
- Govern using their superior understanding to act in the public interest.
DD is not a sensible way to make complex decisions. – many of the big issues that the UK faces don’t have easy
or clear solutions.
Paragraph 3: legitimate government
Agree: direct democracy ensures that rule is legitimate, in the sense that people are more likely to accept decisions
that they have made themselves.
- When citizens make political decisions directly, they have to take responsibility for them – there is no one to
blame.
representative democracy in the UK is experiencing something of a crisis.
- Voter turnout remains low and people feel increasingly disengaged from politicians, political institutions and
processes.
- Overall satisfactions with the system of governing in the UK has been on a downtrend to 25% in most recent
years.
Disagree: RD maintains political stability by helping to distance ordinary citizens from politics, thereby encouraging
them to accept compromise.
- A certain level of apathy is helpful in maintaining political stability.
- The more involved in decision making citizens are, the more passionate and committed they may become.
DD can engage people too much, which may create deep divisions in society.
- In cases where DD creates clear winners and losers over political choice, it will be very hard for the losers to
see the political choice as legitimate.
,Evaluate the view that rights are better protected by pressure groups or by government legislation?
Paragraph 1: human rights
Agree: PGs
- Liberty – deportation of foreign terrorist suspects
- Facial recognition technology won legal challenge against police for using oppressive facial
recognition technology.
- Dangers of restrictions of the Corona Virus Act
Disagree: legislation
- HRA – semi-entrenched
- Semi-authoritative – govt must state on every bill that it is in line with the HRA.
- Illegal Immigration Act and Safety of Rwanda Act = not compatible with the HRA.
Paragraph 2: LGBTQ
Agree:
- Stonewall 1997 campaigned against higher age of consent for homosexuals – 18
- 1999 = successful challenge of the ban of gay people in the armed forces – ECHR article 8 has
been breached – govt change law.
Disagree:
- Crime and disorder bill 1998 – reduced the age of consent.
- 2013 Marriage Act
- Parliament passed both ^^
Paragraph 3: workers
Agree:
- 2009 Gurkha justice campaign = equal rights for British and Commonwealth soldiers
- 2012 nation union of rail, maritime and transport workers – strikes to secure bonuses for members
during the Olympics.
Disagree:
- Gurkhas only able to settle after the government allowed it.
- Parliament = more effective – National Minimum Wage Act 1998.
, Evaluate the view that rights and civil liberties are protected in the UK.
Paragraph 1: rule of law.
For:
Respect for the Rule of Law in the UK.
- AV Dicey described it as one of the pillars of UK democracy.
- Judicial rulings set precedent, and rulings in the Supreme Court are politically binding.
- No-one is above the law; all are equal under the law
- Everyone has the right to a fair trial, no punishment without trial (Habeas Corpus).
Julian Assange asylum in Ecuadorian embassy for 7 years – until Ecuador gave permission for UK authorities to enter.
- UK respects embassy sovereignty (rule of law).
- Boris Johnson and the Party Gate Scandal.
- MPs expenses scandal 2009 – 6MPs were given prison sentences after making false claim for their expenses.
Against:
The UK govt. has repeatedly tested the principle of Habeas Corpus.
- Introducing detention without trial (Terrorism Act 2005)
- Using indeterminate sentencing and control orders (Imprisonment for Public Protection).
1984, the shooting of Yvonne Fletcher from the window of the Libyan Embassy led to an 11-day siege.
- No-one was held responsible.
Paragraph 2: legislation.
For:
Principles of positive rights and formal equality are well established.
- HRA 1998 and Equality Act 2010
- Rights protection has progressed considerably since 1997.
- 2012: home office prevented from deporting Abu Qatada who was accused of having links to terrorist
organisations.
- 2013: (civil case) Christian owners of a quest house ordered to pay damaged for turning away a gay couple in
Cornwall.
Against:
Judges cannot overturn primary legislation.
- Parliament is sovereign and can derogate.
Terrorist suspects were held without charge in 2001-2004 in Belmarsh Prison.
Conservative Party have pledged to replace HRA with the British Bill of Rights
- New legislation such as the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act conflict with HRA right to privacy.
Paragraph 3: Judiciary.
For:
Judicial Independence – free from political pressure.
- Supreme Court created in 2005, separate from parliament.
- Judges cannot be caked by the govt. (security of tenure).
- Guaranteed salaries – politicians cannot manipulate as a way of influencing judges.
- Under sub-judice rules – prevented from speaking out publicly during proceedings (Impartial justice.)
Judicial neutrality.
- Free from personal prejudice/bias
- Anonymity of judges.
- Provide written explanation of rulings (published in full on website / open courts, public access).
Extensive experience and training – reflection of their ability and integrity.
Against:
Judiciary is unaccountable as it is unelected.
- Judicial president – problematic, caused public anger, lacks democratic legitimacy to “change the law.”
R vs Jogee: supreme court overturned conviction about joint enterprise in a murder case.
- Suspect given reduced sentence for non-complicity rather than murder.
- ‘joint enterprise’ was effectively removed.
Problems with neutrality.
- Lacks diversity and is not representative of society – leads to perception that they are conservative and bias.
- BBC News 2020 – black and Asian men were more likely to be jailed for drug dealing offences in the UK than
white men. 16% more likely to be jailed.
- Very difficult to remove judge who is suspected of bias.
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