Edexcel A Level Government and Politics Paper 1 2022 QA

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 Sectional cause pressure groups - ANSWER-the membership are different to the group it represents Sectional cause pressure groups examples - ANSWER-NSPCC, WWF Attitude cause pressure groups - ANSWER-aims to change the public's attitude towards an issue Attitude cause pressure groups examples - ANSWER-greenpeace, campaign for nuclear disarmament Political cause pressure groups - ANSWER-aim to get legislation created or changed Political cause pressure groups examples - ANSWER-electoral reform society, 38 degrees Insider pressure group - ANSWER-relies on contact with ministers and civil servants to achieve their aims and can have close links to the government Insider pressure groups examples - ANSWER-BMA, dogs trust, RSPCA Outsider pressure groups - ANSWER-are not consulted by the government because their methods may be unlawful Outsider pressure groups examples - ANSWER-fathers 4 justice, amnesty international Influence the drafting of legislation (pressure group methods) - ANSWER-able to offer specialised knowledge (NFU) but the public aren't aware and it slows government Influence the public (pressure group methods) - ANSWER-helped by events (1996 snowdrop campaign) but outsider groups have less influence than insider (HS2 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife trust vs CBI) Direct action (pressure group methods) - ANSWER-stunts raise media profile (f4j batman on m25 in 2008) but aren't always peaceful (2010 student demonstrations) Lobbyists - ANSWER-members of professional organisations who are paid by clients seeking access to government Lobbying methods - ANSWER-meeting with ministers/government (the police federation often meets with home office), emailing/meeting local MP's to ask questions, sitting on committees or giving evidence to reports about policy, target lords to create legislation Lobbying scandal 2010 - ANSWER-former labour cabinet ministers stephen byers, geoff hoon and pratricia hewitt were caught by channel 4 Transparency of lobbying, non party campaigning and trade union administration act 2014 - ANSWER-registration of consultant lobbyists, non party campaigners and trade union members Factors affecting pressure groups - tactics (strengths) - ANSWER-can join with other groups needs to known the government access points Factors affecting pressure groups - tactics (weaknesses) - ANSWER-may not agree with other groups may slow process may lose public support Factors affecting pressure groups - tactics (examples) - ANSWER-RSPCA, league against cruel sports and international fund for animal welfare joined to ban hunting Factors affecting pressure groups - resources (strengths) - ANSWER-a large membership can afford to run offices, pay staff and have publicity size persuades government Factors affecting pressure groups - resources (weaknesses) - ANSWER-can't rely on passive support - CND had 110,000 members but thatcher gov ignored Factors affecting pressure groups - resources (examples) - ANSWER-RSPCA employs 1600 people, has volunteers and can run full page/TV ads Factors affecting pressure groups . -public's support (strengths) - ANSWER-have favourable media support can be endorsed by celebrities (joanna lumley gurkhas right to settle if retired before 1997) Factors affecting pressure groups - public's support (weaknesses) - ANSWER-support can be quickly reduced by one event (violence at 2010 student protests) Factors affecting pressure groups - public's support (examples) - ANSWER-1996 snowdrop - 750,000 signatures in 6 weeks, 23,000 firearms surrendered Factors affecting pressure groups - government attitude (strengths) - ANSWER-insider contacts are a key to success Factors affecting pressure groups - government attitude (weaknesses) - ANSWER-only works if change is accepted (feb 2003, est 3m marched against iraq war with CND) makes groups loyal to one party Factors affecting pressure groups - government attitudes (examples) - ANSWER-NFU links to DEFRA led to 2013 badger cull Consultation - ANSWER-asking advice from key insider groups when drafting new legislation Think tanks - ANSWER-groups of experts from different backgrounds who are brought together to investigate particular topics and to offer solutions to complicated economic, social or political views Demos (think tank) - ANSWER-cross party equal distribution of power education and welfare reform started commission on assisted death 'tale of two classrooms' research of education gap between disadvantaged students Habeas corpus - ANSWER-a court order to produce a person before a court so that it can be determined if they have been lawfully detained Negative rights - ANSWER-rights that exist in the absence of any laws forbidding individuals from exercising them Derogated - ANSWER-parts or all can be ignored in certain cases if the government says so (national security outweighs individual rights) Abrogation - ANSWER-can be repealed/replaced after a majority vote in the commons Judicial review - ANSWER-a procedure by which a court can review an administrative action by a public body Acted ultra vires - ANSWER-gone beyond their authority as outlined in statute law ECHR article 8 vs 10 - ANSWER-8: promotes respect for the individual's private and family life 10: enshrines the right to political freedom judges prefer 8 over 10 2010 equality act - ANSWER-legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace based on gender/race/religion joined the equal pay act 1970, the sec discrimination act 1976, the race relations act 1976, the disability act 1995 and 3 major statutory instruments Extraordinary rendition - ANSWER-flying people abroad to allow torture with less punishment (guantanamo bay, cuba) Individual rights weaknesses - ANSWER-anti terrorism laws are abused to imprison innocent people (brazillian david miranda in heathrow - part 7 of terrorism act) terrorism act 2000 is too broad (part 7 allows airport police to detain anyone for terrorism without evidence/suspicion) police compare peaceful protests to terrorism Responsibilities weaknesses - ANSWER-HRA 1998 has helped 28 terrorists stay in the UK (abu hamza) extraordinary rendition (2010 gibson comission into british torture - afghanistan) one person vs multiple civillians Human rights act 1998 - ANSWER-makes ECHR into domestic law so you can seek justice in britain new laws are compatible section 4 and 10 allows courts to declare legislation incompatible section 6 defines courts as public bodies Positives of the UK's democratic system - ANSWER-devolved governments wide range of political parties and pressure groups free media free and fair elections independant judiciary Negatives of UK's democratic system - ANSWER-media controlled by the wealthy (rupert murdoch - the sun) house of lords lacks democracy lacks protection of rights underrepresentation of minority views Political party - ANSWER-an organised group of people with shared policies and goals who aim to be elected to political office Ideology - ANSWER-a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy Old labour policies () - ANSWER-Economic: nationalism - clause IV welfare: NHS - 1948 law and order: attack social deprivation to prevent crime - 1979 foreign: nuclear disarmament - 1979 New labour policies () - ANSWER-economic: abandoned clause IV welfare: minimum wage, welfare to work law and order: ABSOs, HRA foreign: iraq/afghan war Brown and Miliband policies () - ANSWER-economic: temporary 50% tax - recession welfare: low tuition fees, oppose bed tax law and order: high earning prisoners repay foreign: EU referendum Corbyn policies (2015-) - ANSWER-economic: 45% on 80,000, 50% on 123,000 welfare: £10 minimum wage, no tuition fees law and order: increase police funding foreign: renew trident but nuclear disarmament Traditional conservative policies () - ANSWER-economic: free market capitalism, low taxation welfare: noblesse oblige law and order: death penalty foreign: empire One nation policies () - ANSWER-economic: nationalised industries welfare: public health act 1975 (sewers, cleaner streets) Thatcherism policies () - ANSWER-economic: free market capitalism, low tax welfare: reduced state intervention (selling council houses) law and order: ring fenced police budget/increased powers foreign: falklands/gulf war Compassionate conservatism (2007-) - ANSWER-economic: austerity (reduce public spending to decrease deficit) welfare: universal credit, bedroom tax, gay marriage law and order: 20,000 police but, tougher sentences foreign: syrian bombing, EU referendum Orange book liberal democrat policies (2010) - ANSWER-economic: £800 income tax cut, mansion tax welfare: gay marriage, shared parental leave law and order: +3000 police, rehabilitation, prisoners work foreign: not renew trident, more soldiers Tim Farron policies () - ANSWER-economic: reverse cuts to corporation tax (from 17% to 20%) welfare: education spending +£7b in 5 years, rent to own houses law and order: opposed attempts to leave ECHR, legalise cannabis foreign: suspend saudi arms sales, international nuclear disaramament UKIP vote share 2017 - ANSWER-3.9m votes - 12.6% 1 MP UKIP policies 2010 - ANSWER-economic: business links to europe through free trade agreements welfare: health credit vouchers (opt out of NHS), replace tuition fees with grants law and order: double number of prison places and early release foreign: leave eu, repeal climate change act UKIP policies 2015 - ANSWER-economy: ensure corporation tax welfare: no hospital parking charges, lower benefits cap, scrap bedroom tax law and order: 6000 addition posts (officers, prison service) but reduce crime commissioners foreign: free trade agreements, encourage peace in middle east UKIP policies 2017 - ANSWER-economic: raise inheritance tax threshold, eventually eliminate welfare: no tuition fees for medical studentsSTEM students law and order: ban niqab and burqa foreign: keep trident, repeal law requiring UK to spend 0.7% of national income on foreign aid Appropriation - ANSWER-stealing a policy from a minor party Why UKIP's membership declined in 2017 - Loss of Nigel Farage - ANSWER-Controversial newspaper headlines People found him funny 'Down to earth' Why UKIP's membership declined in 2017 - Politics 'co-opted by conservatives' - ANSWER-Cameron called for EU referendum as scared of UKIP capabilities UKIP viewed as copying cameron No point in voting for a small party when the big 2 covered issues Why UKIP's membership declined in 2017 - Single issue achieved - ANSWER-2016 EU referendum Is now pointless Scottish National Party - ANSWER-Formed in 1934 Won first MP in 1945 56/59 seats 2015 (50%) SNP policies - ANSWER-economic - 45-50% top income tax, £10 minimum wage welfare - continued house building, triple lock pensions foreign - scrap trident, oppose syrian bombing, ban saudi arms sales Scottish independence referendum 2014 (parties) - ANSWER-SNP and SGP - leave Coalition conservative, lib dem and labour - remain Scottish independence referendum 2014 (figures) - ANSWER-84.6% turnout Remain = 55.3% Leave = 44.7% West lothian question - ANSWER-Wales, Scotland and Ireland have MPs in Westminster that can vote on UK laws but they can choose not to follow the laws in their regional parliaments where England can't Devolved regional parliaments rejected in north east referendum 2004 Large cities devolved assemblies would lack legislative powers of others Only english MPs vote on english laws complicated English veto allows speaker to judge if a bill affects just england and will require a vote from an english grand committee to pass (used in 2016) Conservatives are trusted by rich people as their policies are tailored to them - ANSWER-Low income tax Favouring 'indirect/regressive' taxation Low corporation tax Little attempt to stop tax avoidance Anti trade union laws Trade union - ANSWER-an organisation made up of workers in a particular sector, campaign for workers rights (NUT) Effects of trade unions - ANSWER-Not everyone can be in a trade union Striking can damage economy Has influence over leadership elections Softer labour approach to union laws Vested interest - ANSWER-a personal reason for involvement in an undertaking or situation, for usually financial or other gain Labour money scandal - ANSWER-January 1997 bernie ecclestone donated £1m Only made public in the november Formula one escaped tobacco advertising ban Cash for honours - ANSWER-Several wealthy donors to the labour party had been nominated for an award (lordship) The law only regulated outright gifts Loans subject to same rules as donations State party funding - ANSWER-PM salary of £74,692 paid by taxpayer Short money (annual opposition payments) Cranborne money (annual opposition HoL payments) Policy development grants Tv and postage subsidies For state funding of parties (donators) - ANSWER-If parties are not funded by taxpayers they will be funded by groups/individuals with their own interests at heart For state funding of parties (equality) - ANSWER-Lib dems and small parties could compete on an equal footing with lab and con For state funding of parties (representative democracy) - ANSWER-Parties play an important role in representative democracy so should be entitled to use taxpayer money for campaign funding For state funding of parties (participation) - ANSWER-If the state matched donations by party members, more people may be encouraged to join, raising participation in democracy For state funding of parties (representation) - ANSWER-State funding would allow politicians to focus on the representation of their constituents not on how to pay for campaigns Labour trade union donations - ANSWER-1988: 71% 1992: 66% 1997: 40% 2017: 30% 2016 Trade Unions Act - ANSWER-Opt in to donate rather than opt out Less trade union funding Less influence Only targets labour Conservative meet and greets - ANSWER-Conservatives charged £50,000 to 'meet and greet' their leader 2000 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act - ANSWER-Independent electoral commission £30,000 cap per party in one constituency Donations over £50,000 (nationally) or £1000 (constituency) have to be declared and details published regularly Banned donations from those not on the electoral roll The Phillips Report 2007 - ANSWER-£25m a year state funding Cut funding to top 2 parties Donation limit Parties can't agree on the details - talks stopped 2013 Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 - ANSWER-Strengthens electoral commission powers Reveals source of donations donations £7500+ can only come from UK residents Inquiry and the report from the committee on standards in public life 2011 - ANSWER-Nolan principles (basis of the ethical standards expected of public office holders) - Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Honesty, Openness, Leadership Had to be clarified in 2013 Didn't cover everyone initially One Party System - ANSWER-only one party exists and puts candidates for election, with no opposition (Zimbabwe) Two Party System - ANSWER-2 major parties, each with a good chance at gaining a majority to run the country. There are smaller parties that have little chance of winning (UK) Dominant Party System - ANSWER-there may be several parties contesting for power, but in reality one party wins time and time again for several years (South Africa) Multi Party System - ANSWER-there are many parties that have a realistic chance of getting into power, with governments often being coalitions (Italy) Popularity of minor parties - ANSWER-1945 - lab and con had 95% of the popular vote between them 2015 - lab and con had 66.49% of the popular vote (UKIP: 12.6%) 2017 - lab and con had 82.3% of the popular vote Electoral register - ANSWER-a list of everyone who are registered to vote Electoral turnout - ANSWER-number of people who vote Dissolve parliament - ANSWER-to end a parliament and trigger a general election, has to be done by the monarch (every 5 years since 2011) Vote of confidence - ANSWER-MP's vote on whether they trust the government By-election - ANSWER-election for the seat only Triggers of a by-election - ANSWER-Another election They die They resign and change party They resign They commit electoral fraud Election types - ANSWER-Local elections Mayoral elections Devolved assemblies Police and crime commissioner European parliament Trustees - ANSWER-edmund burke called MPs trustees as they represent the constituents that voted for them, but aren't forced to follow their views exactly. Delegates - ANSWER-MPs that must do exactly as their constituents tell them to MP diversity - ANSWER-First black MPs in commons in 1987 (Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng (lab)) 2017 - 52 elected ethnic minorities Around 13% of population are ethnic minorities Women - 32% is +9% from 2015 (to 2017) First Past The Post (FPTP) - ANSWER-Battle in each constituency 650 constituencies Winner is candidate with most votes Not majority vote as winner has >50% Majority parliament/hung parliament - ANSWER-party with the most seats form a government Rainbow coalition - ANSWER-more than two parties share power Grand coalition - ANSWER-two biggest parties share power Confidence and supply coalition - ANSWER-the largest party works with a minor party that commits to voting with the government on key events like budget and queens speech but takes other votes on a case by case basis, usually with favourable policies for them Largest constituency - ANSWER-isle of wight Smallest constituency - ANSWER-former western isles Gerrymandering - ANSWER-changing constituency boundaries for political ideological reasons Advantages of FPTP - ANSWER-Speed and simplicity - one choice, easy to understand Excludes extremists - no unpopular parties can win outright Strong link between MPs and constituents - MPs are trustees Strong and stable government - one party can get their manifesto through easily Disadvantages of FPTP - ANSWER-Government elected with >50% of votes - not a majority of votes Lacks proportionality - popular vote != majority MPs elected with >50% of votes Votes of unequal value - isle of wight < former western isles Winner gets bonus seats - unfair as they already have majority Tactical voting - ANSWER-voting not for who you want but for the most likely candidate to defeat the opposition Abstention - ANSWER-not bothering to vote Plurality system - ANSWER-only need one more vote than anyone else (FPTP) Majority system - ANSWER-a candidate must have an absolute majority (50% +1) Proportional representation - ANSWER-try to produce a close fit between % vote and % of seats Advantages of single transferable vote - ANSWER-more proportional than FPTP higher voter choice - less apathy, more smaller parties no safe seats northern ireland coalitions less wasted votes - candidates are ranked Single transferable vote (STV) - proportional representation - ANSWER-used in ireland and ROI rather than one MP representing everyone in a small area, bigger areas elect a small team of MPs candidates need to reach a quota to be elected if no one reaches the quota, the least popular candidate is removed and their voters 2nd choice is counted Disadvantages of single transferable vote - ANSWER-coalitions difficult to understand - droop quota slow - coalition negotiations multi member constituencies - less link to constituents donkey voting low turnout - 55% 2016 in northern ireland STV droop quota - ANSWER-is the minimum number of votes a candidate must receive in order to be elected any extra voters are transferred to another candidate (total number of valid votes / seats +1)+1 Additional member system (AMS) - hybrid proportional - ANSWER-used in welsh assembly hybrid between FPTP and proportional voting voters are given 2 votes, constituency representation and party list Advantages of AMS - ANSWER-more choice more proportional more views represented every vote counts Disadvantages of AMS - ANSWER-complex - multiple votes multiple representatives more coalitions - consistent coalitions/minorities in wales (2016 lab/lib dem) parties determine the order of candidates on the list - put worst at the bottom Supplementary vote (SV) - majoritarian - ANSWER-only choose first and second choice used in police and crime commissioner elections Advantages of SV - ANSWER-winner needs a wide range of support - prevents extremist parties less safe seats, more choice Disadvantages of SV - ANSWER-unproportional more tactical voting Alternative vote (AV) - majoritarian - ANSWER-used for labour/lib dem leadership elections voters rank candidates in order of preference if any single candidate receives a majority of first preferences, they are elected subject of a 2011 referendum (42.2% turnout, 67.9% no) Advantages of AV - ANSWER-reduces the need for tactical voting smallest party is eliminated and the votes transferred Disadvantages of AV - ANSWER-based more on popularity than FPTP donkey voting Advantages of referendums - ANSWER-They allow for a decision to be reached on a single issue, increasing trust in democracy/politicians They raise the public's political awareness as they are talked about in depth beforehand Useful when involving generational changes, often to the constitution and the way people are governed as referendums are entrenched They are a 'pure' form of democracy, the voice of the people and the vote of the majority They settle conflicts that threaten to divide either the political system or the nation or both Disadvantages of referendums - ANSWER-They have no constitutional basis in the UK and challenge parliamentary sovereignty. Voter turnout may be very low which can make it illegitimate (av 2001 42.4%) Issue may be too complex for the public to understand fully Governments choose to hold referendums and may only do so if they know they will win They reduce complex issues to binary questions (brexit) Voters may actually be delivering a verdict on a different issue, most likely dissatisfaction with the government They represent the tyranny of the majority as, unlike the general election where an opposition is formed, the losers get nothing Scottish devolution referendum - ANSWER-september 1997 74.3% yes 60.4% turnout Scottish tax varying powers referendum - ANSWER-september 1997 63.5% yes 60.4% turnout Welsh assembly referendum - ANSWER-september 1997 50.3% yes 50.1% turnout London mayor and assembly referendum - ANSWER-may 1998 72% yes 34% turnout Northern Ireland assembly referendum - ANSWER-may 1998 71.1% yes 81% turnout North east regional assemblies referendum - ANSWER-november 2004 78% no 48% turnout AV referendum - ANSWER-may 2011 68% no 42.4% turnout Scottish independence referendum - ANSWER-september 2014 55.3% yes 84.6% turnout Brexit referendum - ANSWER-june 2016 51.9% leave 72.2% turnout Positives of the EU referendum - ANSWER-Pure form of democracy, verdict of the majority (18-24: 27% leave, 65: 60% leave) Unifying force, settles conflicts threatening society (eng and wales: 53% leave, scotland: 38% leave) Clear result gives clear mandate/harder for other govs to overturn (turnout: 72.2%, leave: 52%, actual leave: 37.5%) Negatives of the EU referendum - ANSWER-Result could be an indication of a different issue/resentment of gov (33% of voters 'well informed', leave campaign misleading) Issue too complex for binary question (more subtle outcomes could have been negotiated, not all or nothing) Issue too complex for general public (experts couldn't agree on economic effects, most leavers concerned with mass immigration)