AS Politics - Revision Guide

Hopefully you guys will find this useful...feel free to print out and rfefer to.

AS Politics - Revision Guide: Unit 1 from mattbentley34

Unit 1: The UK General Election 2015 - Unfair?

Click here to read an excellent article from the Independent newspaper. It explains why the general election using the current system of FPTP is unfair. Below is a video which pretty much says the same thing!




Here is a useful image which highlights some of the issues:

and finally, another image, highlighting the issue of fairness:

Unit 1: Single Transferable Vote - further explanation

A further explanation of Single Transferable Vote (STV)....watch this after you have watched the first video

Unit 1: Single Transferable Vote (STV) explained

Single Transferable Vote system (STV) explained:

Unit 1: Alternative Vote explained

The Alternative voting system explained:

Unit 1: FPTP - Explained

First Past the Post system of voting explained:

Unit 1: Non-Participation

Non-participation is the absence of citizens from the political process. The central measure of non-participation is concerned with those registered to vote who choose not to, which is measured by ‘turnout’. However, other forms of non-participation reflect the alternative opportunities to participate in the politics, which can include membership of political parties and membership of pressure groups.

Non-participation in elections can be explained in three ways. First is that a voter is absent from the country during an election, or ill. Given voting in the UK has to be in person at a polling station, this is entirely possible. The second explanation is ‘apathy’, which is where a voter is able to vote, but essentially ‘can’tbe bothered to’ as they are just not interested or have other priorities. The third explanation is ‘abstention’ which is a conscious decision not to vote.

Abstentions occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, people are simply content with the status quo (called ‘hapathy’), but they may also feel their vote would be wasted under our FPTP election system, the result of the election is a foregone conclusion, the parties have too similar policies, or they are generally disillusioned with the political process.

Non-participation, if cause by the people being happy with the status quo, might be seen as a positive sign. It is also true that sometimes high participation means that there is a high amount of discontent, with many feeling they need to protest.

But non-participation worries political scientists as it usually suggests alienation from the system, makes it more likely that people use non-peaceful and undemocratic methods of making themselves heard. It undermines the legitimacy of the political system, perhaps forcing the state to rely more on coercion. Finally, it can allow unrepresentative minorities to control decision-making, and encourages social exclusion.

Essentially, if people are not motivated toparticipate in a democracy then they are likely to lose the rights and freedoms that have been established. Freedom is like a fortress - of little use without any defenders (Isaiah Berlin).

Unit 1: Parliamentary Democracy - notes

A Parliamentary democracy is where the democratic governance of a state features an executive branch (the part of government with the authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state) derives legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature (Parliament, with the power to enact, amend and repeal laws).

In this system of government, the Head of state is normally a different person from the head of government. In the UK, which is a constitutional monarchy, the Queen is the ceremonial head of state whilst the Prime Minister is the head of Government. In some other countries, such as Israel, the Head of State is the (mostly ceremonial) President, but the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.

Britain’s system of Parliamentary democracy, along with most other Western Governments,is also commonly called a ‘Liberal Democracy’, in which Government gets its legitimacy from the people through regular elections, in which most adults can vote, with good choice of candidates and a secret ballot. That government should be accountable to the people for what it does, with Parliament holding it accountable.There should be a free press, free speech and in most countries a written Bill of rights that prioritises the rights of the individual. A central aim of liberal democracy as a system is that it tries to limit the power of the main branches of government over the individual.

Unit 1: Democracy (direct & indirect) and participation

Democracy explained. Topics include: Direct democracy Indirect democracy Participation Representative democracy Liberal Democracy

Unit 1- Democracy and Participation from mattbentley34

You should be able to link the above to key words like; legitimacy, consent,

Jeremy Corbyn's first PMQ's

How do you think he did?

Unit 1: Referendums & Democracy

The UK voted against changing the voting system to AV (Alternative Vote) in 2011. Click here to read the BBC article on the topic. Tom Clark writing in the Guardian explains why it failed to pass. Click here to read article.




You need to to be able to discuss the following:

Why/when are referendums required?
What are the benefits of referendums?
What are the issues with referendums?

You must also be able to give examples of when (in your opinion) referendums enhanced and damaged the democratic process.

Unit 1 & 3: Liberalism and Liberal Democracy

Liberal Democracy is the type of representative (indirect) democracy operated in the United Kingdom and much of the Western World.

It has a variety of features:

Firstly, it encourages political, social and economic competition between political parties and pressure groups. The Government gets its legitimacy from the people through regular elections, in which most adults can vote, with good choice of candidates and a secret ballot. That government should be accountable to the people for what it does, with Parliament holding it accountable.There should be a free press, free speech and in most countries a written Bill of rights that prioritises the rights of the individual. A central aim of liberal democracy as a system is that it tries to limit the power of the main branches of government over the individual.

Liberal democracy was developed from the ideas of ideological thinkers such as Adam Smith, who felt that individuals should have reasonable freedom, particularly in trade and business. Meanwhile, John Locke believed that the people should be able to remove governments from power should they be abusing it.

Liberal democracy in the UK developed towards the end of the 19th century saw the further development of the UK’s liberal democracy, with all citizens claiming certain civil rights and most adults participating in politics.

Unit 1: Essay question and mark scheme

Evaluate the effectiveness of the various ways in which participation and democracy could be strengthened in the UK. (25 Marks - 2/3 sides of A4)

Democracy and participation could be strengthened by the following methods:

• The introduction of compulsory voting for all citizens. This automatically
increases participation levels and makes the elected representatives more
accurately reflective and thus advanced democratic legitimacy. However to
force someone to make a choice and vote may be unreal, there may be no real
choice for them. Many former regimes cited turnout in the high 90% but the
choice on offer was false.

• Reducing the voting age to 16. Here it is argued that matching the voting age to
other ‘maturation’ levels is just and fair. It will develop political engagement
and prevent frustration. The counter position notes that at 16 young adults are
still not experienced enough to make that choice.

• The greater use of referendums. As a means of direct democracy this instantly
advance legitimacy to decisions. However the public can soon tire of
referendums and their creation may reflect government drives as opposed to
democratic advancement.

• The use of initiatives and the process of recall. It is argued that this would
invigorate life into politics and add democratic power to the public. Opposition
hints that this creates political instability where a sensitive and scheming media
may really create puppets out of the electorate.

• The introduction of more electronic technology to aid participation. This makes
both the process of voting easier and the scope of participation levels to be
more accurate, swift and expansive. Opponents hint that this may simply
alienate the public further and set them akin to a frivolous TV vote show as
opposed to a major life changing decision.

• A change to the voting system for Westminster elections. On the one hand this
could revitalise politics especially at Westminster if PR were to be introduced, it
would make citizens feel that their vote was equal and counted. However there
is no agreed electoral system that commands universal approval. In addition
where PR has been introduced it has not especially delivered increased level of
participation.

• Increased provision of political education. It is argued if the public in school and
beyond were allowed greater levels of political education then levels of
participation would increase as people both valued and understood the political
process.

• Constitutional reform by governmental structure may improve both participation
and democracy – the House of Lords reform may be cited.

Unit 1: Political participation, Direct & Indirect Democracy

Political participation and democracy from mattbentley34

Unit 3: Political ideologies 3 - Enlightenment Philosophers

Unit 3: Poltical Ideologies 2 - Individualism Vs Collectivism

Unit 3: Political Ideologies 1 - Introduction

Unit 3: Political Ideologies 4 - What is liberalism?

Unit 1: How Democratic is the UK?

How democratic is the UK? from mattbentley34

Unit 3: The history of Liberalism

A quick introduction on where Liberalism comes from.




Here is a second clip to help you. (Click here)