Elections + referendum

• Functions of elections:

  • representation
  • choosing a government
  • participation
  • influence over policy
  • accountability
  • citizenship education
  • legitimacy
  • elite recruitment
• Safe seat - A constituency where current party has a large majority, retained by the same political party at election after election.
• Marginal seat - A constituency where the current party has a small majority, + may be won by a different party at the next general election.
• Strengths of FPTP:

  • clear outcome
  • strong + stable government
  • simplicity
• Limitations of FPTP:

  • electoral deserts (areas of little/no representation)
  • plurality
  • disproportionate outcomes
• By-election - These elections are for a new MP in a constituency when the previous representative stands down or dies.
• Pressure group - An organisation that seeks to influence decision-making in relation to particular issues e.g British Medical Association
• Insider group - Have little to no contact with decision-makers, often due to disagreement with government e. Amnesty International
• Promotional group - A promotional pressure group that represents or promotes a specific cause.
• Sectional group - A group that aims to protect the interest of its members.
• Pressure groups do enhance democracy:

  • represent various demands + interests
  • educates + informs the electorate
  • government’s made aware of how the public feel about certain issues
• Pressure groups don’t enhance democracy:

  • may take illegal + undemocratic direct action
  • insider PGs can hold too much influence over government ministers
  • some demonstrations can turn violent
• Lobbying - attempting or seeking to influence government ministers’ parliament
• Pluralism - The idea that power is dispersed in society, no one has all the power.
• Methods of influence used by pressure groups:

  • direct action e.g strikes
  • petitions
  • publicity stunts
  • celebrity endorsement
• Class dealignment - political preferences and voting pattern are less determined by a person’s socioeconomic class than they used to be
• Partisan dealignment - where individuals become less supportive of a particular political party
• Governing competency - ability of a government to govern effectively
• Disillusions and apathy - the extent to which individuals become less involved or interested in politics