Topic Five (1.5): Democracy and Participation – Consolidation

Introduction

This topic is designed for you to review, and reflect on, what you have learnt in this module. The tasks below will help ensure you understand the political institutions, processes, and ideas that are covered in this part of the syllabus.

  Review

Make sure you have notes relating to all the following points from the syllabus:

  • Topic 1.1:
    • The features of direct democracy and representative democracy.
    • The similarities and differences between direct democracy and representative democracy.
    • Advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy and representative democracy and consideration of the case for reform.
  • Topic 1.2:
    • Key milestones in the widening of the franchise in relation to class, gender, ethnicity and age, including the 1832 Great Reform Act and the 1918, 1928 and 1969 Representation of the People Acts.
    • The work of the suffragists/suffragettes to extend the franchise.
    • The work of a current movement to extend the franchise.
  • Topic 1.3:
    • How different pressure groups exert influence and how their methods and influence vary in contemporary politics.
    • Case Studies of two different pressure groups, highlighting examples of how their methods and influence vary.
    • Other collective organisations and groups including think tanks, lobbyists and corporations, and their influence on government and Parliament.
  • Topic 1.4:
    • Major milestones in the development of rights, including the significance of Magna Carta and more recent developments, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010.
    • Debates on the extent, limits, and tensions within the UK’s rights-based culture, including consideration of how individual and collective right may conflict, the contributions from civil liberties pressure groups – including the work of two contemporary civil liberties pressure groups.

Terminology

Make sure you have learned the key words and their definitions on page 2 of the A level Politics Glossary (in the General Resources section).  You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.

Quiz

Check your understanding of the Democracy and Participation module by taking the Pre-Chewed Politics quiz at the bottom of the webpage here:

COMPLETE – Democracy and Participation Quiz (Pre-Chewed Politics) Links to an external site.

Assignment

When you have completed all the activities and are fully prepared and feel confident with the material, you should complete Assignment One and submit it to your tutor via Canvas for marking and feedback.