Component 1
– UK Politics 2-hour paper 1 x 30-mark Source question
– (choice of 2) 1x 30-mark none Source question
– (choice of 2) 1 x 24 ideology
– (choice of 2)
Total 84 marks
Democracy and participation: How healthy is UK democracy? Is there a
participation crisis? What is the role of pressure groups in democracy and what
makes one successful? Are rights protected well enough in the UK?
1. To what extent is representative democracy superior to direct democracy?
2. Is the UK experiencing a democratic deficit?
3. Is the UK experiencing a participation crisis?
4. Should voting be made compulsory?
5. Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
6. Do pressure groups promote democracy and participation?
7. To what extent is pressure group success down to large membership?
8. Does the UK now have a ‘rights- based’ culture?
9. Rights are not sufficiently protected in the UK. Discuss.
10. To what extent is the influence of the media the most important factor in
determining the success or failure of political party?
1. To what extent is representative democracy superior to direct democracy?
● Introduction: Define representative and direct democracy. Introduce the
debate on the advantages of representative democracy.
● Argument for Representative Democracy:
○ Practicality: More efficient in large, complex societies.
, ○ Expertise: Representatives are elected for their knowledge and
experience.
○ Stability: Avoids the volatility of frequent referendums.
● Argument for Direct Democracy:
○ Increases legitimacy: People have a direct say on issues.
○ Enhances political engagement and participation.
○ Prevents political elites from disconnecting from the public.
● Evaluation:
○ Representative democracy's adaptability to modern governance.
○ Direct democracy’s limitations in large populations and complex
issues.
● Conclusion: Weigh the practicality and effectiveness of representative
democracy in balancing efficiency and inclusivity.
2. Is the UK experiencing a democratic deficit?
● Introduction: Define democratic deficit and briefly introduce key arguments
for and against the claim.
● Arguments for Democratic Deficit:
○ Voter apathy: Low turnout, especially in local elections.
○ House of Lords: Unelected body with significant power.
, ○ Influence of unelected officials (civil servants, monarch, etc.).
● Arguments Against Democratic Deficit:
○ Representative democracy via Parliament ensures legitimacy.
○ Regular elections offer citizens a chance to change the government.
○ The role of pressure groups and civil society in holding government
accountable.
● Evaluation:
○ Comparison with other democracies and their deficits.
○ Analysis of reforms (e.g., devolution, more frequent elections).
● Conclusion: Balance the factors contributing to and mitigating a
democratic deficit.
3. Is the UK experiencing a participation crisis?
● Introduction: Define participation crisis and present the debate.
● Arguments for a Participation Crisis:
○ Decline in voter turnout (especially in non-general elections).
○ Reduced membership in political parties.
○ Disengagement from political processes (e.g., apathy towards
politics).
, ● Arguments Against a Participation Crisis:
○ Increasing participation in specific forms, like referendums and
protests.
○ Rising interest in political issues (e.g., climate change).
○ Expansion of new forms of participation (e.g., online activism).
● Evaluation:
○ Contextualize participation trends over time and in comparison to
other countries.
● Conclusion: Examine the extent of the crisis, considering the nature of
political participation today.
4. Should voting be made compulsory?
● Introduction: Define compulsory voting and introduce the arguments for
and against it.
● Arguments for Compulsory Voting:
○ Higher voter turnout, more representative outcomes.
○ Encourages greater political awareness and engagement.
○ Reduces influence of political extremes.
● Arguments Against Compulsory Voting:
○ Infringes on personal freedom.
– UK Politics 2-hour paper 1 x 30-mark Source question
– (choice of 2) 1x 30-mark none Source question
– (choice of 2) 1 x 24 ideology
– (choice of 2)
Total 84 marks
Democracy and participation: How healthy is UK democracy? Is there a
participation crisis? What is the role of pressure groups in democracy and what
makes one successful? Are rights protected well enough in the UK?
1. To what extent is representative democracy superior to direct democracy?
2. Is the UK experiencing a democratic deficit?
3. Is the UK experiencing a participation crisis?
4. Should voting be made compulsory?
5. Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
6. Do pressure groups promote democracy and participation?
7. To what extent is pressure group success down to large membership?
8. Does the UK now have a ‘rights- based’ culture?
9. Rights are not sufficiently protected in the UK. Discuss.
10. To what extent is the influence of the media the most important factor in
determining the success or failure of political party?
1. To what extent is representative democracy superior to direct democracy?
● Introduction: Define representative and direct democracy. Introduce the
debate on the advantages of representative democracy.
● Argument for Representative Democracy:
○ Practicality: More efficient in large, complex societies.
, ○ Expertise: Representatives are elected for their knowledge and
experience.
○ Stability: Avoids the volatility of frequent referendums.
● Argument for Direct Democracy:
○ Increases legitimacy: People have a direct say on issues.
○ Enhances political engagement and participation.
○ Prevents political elites from disconnecting from the public.
● Evaluation:
○ Representative democracy's adaptability to modern governance.
○ Direct democracy’s limitations in large populations and complex
issues.
● Conclusion: Weigh the practicality and effectiveness of representative
democracy in balancing efficiency and inclusivity.
2. Is the UK experiencing a democratic deficit?
● Introduction: Define democratic deficit and briefly introduce key arguments
for and against the claim.
● Arguments for Democratic Deficit:
○ Voter apathy: Low turnout, especially in local elections.
○ House of Lords: Unelected body with significant power.
, ○ Influence of unelected officials (civil servants, monarch, etc.).
● Arguments Against Democratic Deficit:
○ Representative democracy via Parliament ensures legitimacy.
○ Regular elections offer citizens a chance to change the government.
○ The role of pressure groups and civil society in holding government
accountable.
● Evaluation:
○ Comparison with other democracies and their deficits.
○ Analysis of reforms (e.g., devolution, more frequent elections).
● Conclusion: Balance the factors contributing to and mitigating a
democratic deficit.
3. Is the UK experiencing a participation crisis?
● Introduction: Define participation crisis and present the debate.
● Arguments for a Participation Crisis:
○ Decline in voter turnout (especially in non-general elections).
○ Reduced membership in political parties.
○ Disengagement from political processes (e.g., apathy towards
politics).
, ● Arguments Against a Participation Crisis:
○ Increasing participation in specific forms, like referendums and
protests.
○ Rising interest in political issues (e.g., climate change).
○ Expansion of new forms of participation (e.g., online activism).
● Evaluation:
○ Contextualize participation trends over time and in comparison to
other countries.
● Conclusion: Examine the extent of the crisis, considering the nature of
political participation today.
4. Should voting be made compulsory?
● Introduction: Define compulsory voting and introduce the arguments for
and against it.
● Arguments for Compulsory Voting:
○ Higher voter turnout, more representative outcomes.
○ Encourages greater political awareness and engagement.
○ Reduces influence of political extremes.
● Arguments Against Compulsory Voting:
○ Infringes on personal freedom.
