mock revision / paper 1

• What are the issues with direct democracy?

  It is impractical for a state with large citizenry

  Voters are not experts and are easily misinformed
• How much did the 2016 EU Referendum cost?

  £140 million
• What is a case against democratic reform?

  Turnout in the 2019 EU election was higher in some areas
• Greenpeace is which kind of pressure group?

  Promotional
• What are three key functions of pressure groups?

  Education for government and the public

  Scrutinising government

  Standing up for minority interests
• What are 2 key reasons pressure groups fail?

  Lacks resources such as campaigners and an organised membership

  Public opinion turns
• What type of pressure group is Extinction Rebellion?

  Outsider promotional group
• Why may funding reform not have gone far enough?

  'Long-term loans' can get around the regulations set by PPERA
• Three keys points against public funding political parties?

  Taxpayers won't want to support parties they disagree with

  Platforms minority/extremist parties

  Waste of taxpayers money if they would be funded privately otherwise
• Which mainstream UK party has the largest membership?

  Labour
• What did Corbyn's Labour membership fees increase to?

  Over £18 million
• How much did Conservative membership fees amount to in 2017?


  Less than £1 million
• What are three benefits of state funding?

  Would remove private donor influence

  Gives politicians time to serve constituents rather than spending time seeking funds

  Minority parties could compete better
• How many constituencies does the UK have?

  650
• What electoral system does the Welsh Assembly use?

  Additional member system
• What electoral system do the London Mayoral elections use?

  Supplementary Vote
• In which year did the public authorise the creation of Scottish and Welsh assemblies via a referendum?

  1997
• Why are referendums unreliable?

  They can be influenced by factors other than the issue at hand

  Challenges parliamentary sovereignty
• Why is STV used in Northern Ireland?

  Helps mediate the political conflict between nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland - they have to form coalitions
• Which voting systems lead to power sharing / coalition governments?

  STV

  AMS
• Which event in 1979 contributed to the fall of the Labour government?

  Winter of discontent
• Which 1992 event damaged the Tory's reputation for economic management?

  Black wednesday