UNIT 1
1. Evaluate the view representative democracy superior to direct democracy
2. Evaluate the view that Britain in a participation crisis
3. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government decisions
4. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists and corporations have greater influence than pressure groups
5. Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than government legislation in
defending and promoting rights in the UK
6. Evaluate the view Britain's democracy in a crisis
7. Evaluate the view Human Rights negatively impact the collective for the good of the individual
8. Evaluate the view Human Rights in Britain are not strong enough
9. Evaluate the view Pressure Groups have done more than the legislature to protect Human Rights
1. Evaluate the view representative democracy superior to direct democracy
Representative allows for better educated intellectuals to make decisions.
- The leave campaign's promise of an extra £350 million a week after Britain left the EU has now been widely
discredited and shows that many voters were making decisions under false pretences.
- However, representatives may not make the best decisions which could lead to losing the trust of the electorate
they are representing. March 2024, 57% of voters believe that the decision to leave the EU was the wrong choice
showing that citizens feel ‘Bregret’
Representative democracy is more efficient and practical and allows for faster decision making.
- The 7/7 Bombings on London Underground 2005 The government immediately put in Serious Organised Crime
and Police Act 2005 to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement in combating serious organized crime and
terrorism & Coronavirus Act 2020
- However, representative democracy may not be as efficient due to parliamentary ping pong. 2023 the Assisted
Dying Bill which sought to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill patients. This ultimately shows that the
legislative process within the Parliament is inefficient due to the various stages of debate
Hold representatives to account and remove unpopular representatives.
- Matt Hancock resigned as Health Secretary after a scandal with the secretary in 2021 , where he breached social
distancing guidance implemented by him. This shows how those who have been elected can be removed from their
role if they fail to perform their function.
- 2018 Ian Paisley (DUP), did not receive enough votes to trigger a by-election after being found guilty of failing to
declare luxury holidays he received from the government of Sri Lanka
2.(S) Evaluate the view that UK Democracy is suffering from a participation crisis
- Voter turnout in general elections has become very low. GE 2019, with a turnout of 67%, the 2024 GE turnout
was 60%, which has decreased by 7%.
- Voter turnout has begun to increase. In 2014, the Scottish Independence referendum had a turnout of 84%,
109,000 16-17-year olds voted.
- Decline in party membership. 1990s, Cons had 400,000 party members but now only has 131,680 members as
of November 2024. This shows that there has been a decline in party affiliation as memberships of parties have
fallen and participation within the party has become less engaging to citizens.
- However, there are new forms of participation as, for example palestinian crisis has become a large source of
direct action and protest within the past year, with protests in London had 500,000 marchers.
- Trust in politicians is reducing. May 2022, Sue Gray published a report revealing the lockdown parties held in
Downing Street during strict Covid 19 restrictions on socialising, BJ was present at these parties and was fined.
, - However participation outside the ballot box is healthy as FareShare and Rashfords campaign to provide free
meals to struggling children during the 2020 lockdown, with Rashford’s e-petition receiving 1.1 million
signatures.
3. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists, and pressure groups have little impact on government decision-
making
Think tanks significantly influence UK government policy by providing research and recommendations.
Bright Blue, a centre-right think tank, has seen over 90 of its policies adopted by the UK Government, influencing
administrations from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak.
However, the impact of think tanks can be limited if their recommendations do not align with the government's
agenda. Many think tanks, like the Resolution Foundation and the Fabian Society, warned against Brexit, stating
that it would be detrimental to the UK economy, however, the Conservative government ignored this
Lobbyists engage with policymakers to advocate for specific interests.
As of July 2024, more than a dozen private sector lobbyists and consultants have been embedded in Labour's
shadow cabinet teams, indicating a direct channel for influencing policy development.
However, lobbying can cause MPs to become selfish and advocate for their own best interest.
Despite intense lobbying from energy companies, the government announced a windfall tax extension in 2023,
showing that economic lobbying can be overridden by public and political pressure.
Pressure groups have been successful. BMA were able to achieve their goal of banning smoking in cars with
children in 2015 after banning smoking in public areas in 2007. Used online technology to lobby members of HoL.
- However, pressure groups can simply be ignored. October 2022 two JSO activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth
Bridge on the M25 near Dartford and were there suspended in cables for 37 hours, both got sentenced to around
3 years imprisonment.
4. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists, and corporations have greater influence than pressure groups
Impact of think tanks can be limited if their recommendations do not align with the government's agenda. Many
think tanks, like the Resolution Foundation and the Fabian Society, warned against Brexit, stating that it would be
detrimental to the UK economy, however, the Conservative government ignored this
Think tanks often operate within close proximity to the government and can directly shape policy through detailed
reports and briefings. Bright Blue, a centre-right think tank, has seen over 90 of its policies adopted by the UK
Government, influencing administrations from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak.
Insider status with pressure groups can ensure that legislation can be passed effectively
The National Farmers Union used their insider status with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
to allow the 2013 badger cull. Head of the environmental affairs committee attended an NFU summit in 2023, 2024
Rishi Sunak said to NFU “we have your back”. This illustrates close links.
However, Corporations and paid lobbyists often have direct, behind-the-scenes access to ministers and senior
officials, allowing them to shape the policy agenda more subtly and effectively than grassroots pressure groups.
July 2024, more than a dozen private sector lobbyists and consultants have been embedded in Labour's shadow
cabinet teams, indicating a direct channel for influencing policy development.
Pressure groups have been successful. BMA were able to achieve their goal of banning smoking in cars with
children in 2015 after banning smoking in public areas in 2007. Used online technology to lobby members of HoL.
However, pressure groups can simply be ignored while government legislation cannot. October 2022 two JSO
activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth Bridge on the M25 near Dartford and were there suspended in cables for 37
hours, both got sentenced to around 3 years imprisonment.
5. Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than government legislation
in defending and promoting rights in the UK
Pressure groups protect the rights of minority groups Stonewall, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights successfully
campaigned for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in England and Wales, which was achieved in 2014.
However, without legislators within the government, efforts would be useless. Human Rights Act 1998
incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, providing citizens with legal means to
1. Evaluate the view representative democracy superior to direct democracy
2. Evaluate the view that Britain in a participation crisis
3. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government decisions
4. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists and corporations have greater influence than pressure groups
5. Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than government legislation in
defending and promoting rights in the UK
6. Evaluate the view Britain's democracy in a crisis
7. Evaluate the view Human Rights negatively impact the collective for the good of the individual
8. Evaluate the view Human Rights in Britain are not strong enough
9. Evaluate the view Pressure Groups have done more than the legislature to protect Human Rights
1. Evaluate the view representative democracy superior to direct democracy
Representative allows for better educated intellectuals to make decisions.
- The leave campaign's promise of an extra £350 million a week after Britain left the EU has now been widely
discredited and shows that many voters were making decisions under false pretences.
- However, representatives may not make the best decisions which could lead to losing the trust of the electorate
they are representing. March 2024, 57% of voters believe that the decision to leave the EU was the wrong choice
showing that citizens feel ‘Bregret’
Representative democracy is more efficient and practical and allows for faster decision making.
- The 7/7 Bombings on London Underground 2005 The government immediately put in Serious Organised Crime
and Police Act 2005 to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement in combating serious organized crime and
terrorism & Coronavirus Act 2020
- However, representative democracy may not be as efficient due to parliamentary ping pong. 2023 the Assisted
Dying Bill which sought to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill patients. This ultimately shows that the
legislative process within the Parliament is inefficient due to the various stages of debate
Hold representatives to account and remove unpopular representatives.
- Matt Hancock resigned as Health Secretary after a scandal with the secretary in 2021 , where he breached social
distancing guidance implemented by him. This shows how those who have been elected can be removed from their
role if they fail to perform their function.
- 2018 Ian Paisley (DUP), did not receive enough votes to trigger a by-election after being found guilty of failing to
declare luxury holidays he received from the government of Sri Lanka
2.(S) Evaluate the view that UK Democracy is suffering from a participation crisis
- Voter turnout in general elections has become very low. GE 2019, with a turnout of 67%, the 2024 GE turnout
was 60%, which has decreased by 7%.
- Voter turnout has begun to increase. In 2014, the Scottish Independence referendum had a turnout of 84%,
109,000 16-17-year olds voted.
- Decline in party membership. 1990s, Cons had 400,000 party members but now only has 131,680 members as
of November 2024. This shows that there has been a decline in party affiliation as memberships of parties have
fallen and participation within the party has become less engaging to citizens.
- However, there are new forms of participation as, for example palestinian crisis has become a large source of
direct action and protest within the past year, with protests in London had 500,000 marchers.
- Trust in politicians is reducing. May 2022, Sue Gray published a report revealing the lockdown parties held in
Downing Street during strict Covid 19 restrictions on socialising, BJ was present at these parties and was fined.
, - However participation outside the ballot box is healthy as FareShare and Rashfords campaign to provide free
meals to struggling children during the 2020 lockdown, with Rashford’s e-petition receiving 1.1 million
signatures.
3. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists, and pressure groups have little impact on government decision-
making
Think tanks significantly influence UK government policy by providing research and recommendations.
Bright Blue, a centre-right think tank, has seen over 90 of its policies adopted by the UK Government, influencing
administrations from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak.
However, the impact of think tanks can be limited if their recommendations do not align with the government's
agenda. Many think tanks, like the Resolution Foundation and the Fabian Society, warned against Brexit, stating
that it would be detrimental to the UK economy, however, the Conservative government ignored this
Lobbyists engage with policymakers to advocate for specific interests.
As of July 2024, more than a dozen private sector lobbyists and consultants have been embedded in Labour's
shadow cabinet teams, indicating a direct channel for influencing policy development.
However, lobbying can cause MPs to become selfish and advocate for their own best interest.
Despite intense lobbying from energy companies, the government announced a windfall tax extension in 2023,
showing that economic lobbying can be overridden by public and political pressure.
Pressure groups have been successful. BMA were able to achieve their goal of banning smoking in cars with
children in 2015 after banning smoking in public areas in 2007. Used online technology to lobby members of HoL.
- However, pressure groups can simply be ignored. October 2022 two JSO activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth
Bridge on the M25 near Dartford and were there suspended in cables for 37 hours, both got sentenced to around
3 years imprisonment.
4. Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists, and corporations have greater influence than pressure groups
Impact of think tanks can be limited if their recommendations do not align with the government's agenda. Many
think tanks, like the Resolution Foundation and the Fabian Society, warned against Brexit, stating that it would be
detrimental to the UK economy, however, the Conservative government ignored this
Think tanks often operate within close proximity to the government and can directly shape policy through detailed
reports and briefings. Bright Blue, a centre-right think tank, has seen over 90 of its policies adopted by the UK
Government, influencing administrations from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak.
Insider status with pressure groups can ensure that legislation can be passed effectively
The National Farmers Union used their insider status with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
to allow the 2013 badger cull. Head of the environmental affairs committee attended an NFU summit in 2023, 2024
Rishi Sunak said to NFU “we have your back”. This illustrates close links.
However, Corporations and paid lobbyists often have direct, behind-the-scenes access to ministers and senior
officials, allowing them to shape the policy agenda more subtly and effectively than grassroots pressure groups.
July 2024, more than a dozen private sector lobbyists and consultants have been embedded in Labour's shadow
cabinet teams, indicating a direct channel for influencing policy development.
Pressure groups have been successful. BMA were able to achieve their goal of banning smoking in cars with
children in 2015 after banning smoking in public areas in 2007. Used online technology to lobby members of HoL.
However, pressure groups can simply be ignored while government legislation cannot. October 2022 two JSO
activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth Bridge on the M25 near Dartford and were there suspended in cables for 37
hours, both got sentenced to around 3 years imprisonment.
5. Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than government legislation
in defending and promoting rights in the UK
Pressure groups protect the rights of minority groups Stonewall, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights successfully
campaigned for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in England and Wales, which was achieved in 2014.
However, without legislators within the government, efforts would be useless. Human Rights Act 1998
incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, providing citizens with legal means to
