‘Advantages & Disadvantages of’ - Government & Politics
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Government and Politics
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
A comprehensive list of advantages and disadvantages of different political aspects discussed in Pearson Edexcel A-Level Politics
6 pages, 2400+ words
Helped me get an A* in A-Level Government & Politics!
Aspect of Politics Advantages Disadvantages Judgement
Direct Democracy: Develops sense of community and Impractical in a large state where decision- Direct democracy is the most accurate
Individuals express encourages genuine debate making is complicated democratic system at meeting the demands o
their opinions Encourages participation in politics by Open to manipulation by most persuasive the majority of the population. However, it als
themselves and are expecting people to take their decisions speakers, who are able to garner support for promotes the trend of ‘tyranny of the majorit
more active in the as citizens seriously their viewpoints in which majority opinion is acted on with littl
decision-making Gives equal weight to all votes Many people may not want/feel qualified to consultation of the issues facing minority grou
process. take part in decision-making so political Furthermore, no matter the determined effica
activists decide what happens. of direct democracy, it is impractical within th
Will of the majority isn’t mediated by modern system as it would not allow for rapid
parliamentary institutions so minority but informed decision-making on critical issue
viewpoints are disregarded.
Representative Only practical solution in a modern state May lead to reduced participation as people Representative democracy is arguably flawed
Democracy: Citizens with complex issues that require rapid choose to hand responsibility to politicians the sense that it places politicians at the centr
elect representatives responses. Parties and pressure groups are arguably of key decision-making, which can reduce
to make decisions on Reduces chance of minority rights being often elites pursuing their own agendas, so political participation as citizens feel a though
their behalf. overridden by the ‘tyranny of the don’t truly represent the people their influence is weak. However, it is also the
majority’. Minorities may still find themselves only practical solution in a modern state that
Elections allow individuals to hold others underrepresented as politicians are more requires rapid responses to complex issues in
to account likely to follow the view of the majority to stable and structured way. This is because
In theory, politicians are more informed secure election representatives are given the authority to rule
on specific issues and better placed than Politicians are skilful at avoiding behalf of the people and are, in theory, better
the average person to make decisions accountability, especially as general election placed to make decisions in their best interest
Parties give electorate coherence and a are five years apart.
real choice in representation. Pressure Politicians may be
groups also form to represent different corrupt/incompetent/betray election
interests and spark debate. Both promises/put loyalty to their party before
encourage a pluralist democracy. responsibility to the electorate
Extending the Could increase participation levels due to Arguably, young people lack the necessary Levels of participation in UK elections are low
Franchise: Increasing integration in politics from a young age. life experience and maturity to vote. for the 18-24 age group, which would suggest
the number of people Would encourage political parties to have There is low participation in youth that votes for 16 year-olds would not improve
within society that are a higher consideration on policies on the parliament and similar enterprise. average political participation as the trends
able to vote. subject of education and other priorities Arguably, many 16-18s would have their would imply that young people would be less
, of u18s. views determined by their parents or other likely to vote. There are also arguments that it
adults would not make the electorate more informed
Few other countries allow people to vote at 16 year-olds have not yet finished education a
16 potentially lack the life experience to make an
informed decision in an election.
Pressure Groups: Can give a voice to major concerns of Certain pressure groups can have a Pressure groups allow for increased participati
Groups of like-minded sections of society significant amount of influence over the gvt, in politics and a mobilisation of public opinion
people who come Encourages political participation as which could be seen aa way of bypassing particularly for minorities who might feel
together to put organisations can allow collective action democracy to protect the self-interests of alienated by party politics. However, they can
pressure on the Provides an opportunity of political the select elite. also be seen as a pathway for elites to exert
government to take participation for those who may feel Some groups can have power solely based majority influence over government policy. As
some form of action. disenfranchised by party politics on tradition and their history of links with not all pressure groups are widely accessible,
Allow the population to hold the the government, even if their ideas don’t voices they represent are less likely to be thos
government to account and express their reflect the opinions of the modern of the less privileged. Therefore, pressure gro
opinions and ideas on policies population could be seen as organisations which bypass
Some groups can have unwarranted power democracy to work in the self-interests of the
despite representing a minority of the select elite.
population.
Party Funding System: Allows opposition parties to function and Short money doesn’t particularly help very The party funding system allows for the
Short Money provide effective electoral competition. small or new parties functioning of opposition parties in providing
(£16,956.86) is given Independent Electoral Commission Spending on billboards, social media, general effective electoral competition for the
to opposition parties established to monitor election campaign campaign and organisational spending is government, however, it is undeniably flawed
with one of more MPs spending. uncapped, meaning parties can set agendas some respects. Due to the rewards given for p
in HoC and £33.86 is Spending per constituency is capped at and influence media coverage. performance, state funding creates bias towa
given per 200 votes £30,000 State funding creates bias towards established parties and, furthermore, does litt
won. Parties are also Donations of £5000 or more (or £1000 at established parties as funding reflects past to reduce the gap between these and new or
funded by constituency level) must be declared, performance minor parties. Moreover, there are arguments
membership fees and reducing chance of corruption Arguably, state funding reduces to the unjust influence that donations can hav
donations. independence of parties and means that over the political system, as this can be seen a
they would be less likely to advance policies the elites using their financial privilege to
that counter the interests of important state promote their own opinions within parties.
bodies
Can allow members of the elite to have
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