Politics Paper 1: AO1 and Analysis
1. Democracy and participation
Direct democracy: Citizens make decisions themselves.
Representative democracy: Citizens elect representatives to decide on their behalf
Petitions (Direct Democracy) : Are they effective or good forms of democracy?
Petitions that has impacts
1. Marcus Rashford Free School Meals Campaign (2020)
● Linked to UK Parliament Petitions Committee, Over 1 million signatures
● Government initially rejected → then reversed decision
● Free school meals extended during holidays and covid through vouchers
● Forced major policy U-turn - COVID Winter Grant Scheme (2020)
2. Hillsborough Justice Campaign Petitions
● Long-term campaigning contributed to new inquests (2016 verdict: unlawful killing) Shows
petitions can work over time, not instantly
3. Sarah’s Law Campaign (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme)
● Driven by petitions and media campaigns after Sarah Payne case, which resulted in the
Introduction of disclosure scheme = Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (2010) (police
policy framework)
4. Ban on XL Bully Dogs (2023–24)
● Petitions gained hundreds of thousands of signatures after attacks, the Government
committed to ban
● Added to banned list under Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (updated 2023/24) - Clear example of
petition → legislative amendment
5. “Upskirting” Law Petition (2018)
● Petition + activism after legal loophole exposed, Government fast-tracked legislation
● Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 - Example of petition directly triggering a new criminal
offence
Petitions with limited impacts :
1. “Revoke Article 50 and Remain in the EU” (2019)
● Over 6.1 million signatures (one of the biggest ever)
● Debate was held in Parliament but the Government rejected it, Brexit proceeded, it
Contradicted result of 2016 EU Referendum, Government had strong electoral mandate
● Even overwhelming support cannot override representative democracy
2. “Second EU Referendum” Petitions (2018–2019)
● Multiple petitions with millions of signatures, Debated but ignored, No second referendum
called
● It failed as it was Politically divisive + Government unwilling to reopen issue
3. “Reduce University Tuition Fees” Petitions
● Repeated petitions (100k+ signatures), Debates were held but Fees remained high, No
reversal of £9,000+ fees
● Why it failed: High fiscal cost + Government policy commitment
, Petitions ARE Effective (Agree) Petitions are NOT Effective (Disagree)
Agenda-setting power – Petitions can force issues onto the Non-binding nature – Petitions have no legal force, meaning
political agenda, compelling debate and shaping policy governments can acknowledge them without taking any action,
discussion even if they do not directly determine outcomes. limiting their ability to produce real change.
Amplification through media and visibility – Large-scale Parliamentary sovereignty – Ultimate authority rests with elected
support can generate political pressure by increasing public representatives, so petitions cannot override government decisions
awareness and raising the reputational cost of government or legislative priorities.
inaction.
Catalyst for existing political momentum – Petitions are Dependence on political alignment – Petitions only succeed when
effective when they accelerate issues that already have they align with government priorities, making their effectiveness
underlying support, helping translate public opinion into policy conditional rather than independent.
action.
Institutional integration – Formal recognition within Superficial participation (‘clicktivism’) – Low-effort engagement
parliamentary systems provides a structured channel for can inflate apparent support without generating meaningful pressure,
participation, increasing the likelihood that public concerns weakening their overall influence.
are at least considered.
Direct Democracy (UK examples) :
Key Referendums
2016 EU Referendum
● 52% Leave vs 48% Remain
● High turnout (~72%) which Showed public engagement BUT also misinformation (e.g.
“£350m for NHS” claim)
2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
● 55% No, 45% Yes
● Turnout ~85% (very high → strong legitimacy)
2011 Alternative Vote Referendum
● 68% rejected AV
● Low engagement → shows limits of direct democracy interest
1998 Good Friday Agreement Referendum
● Overwhelming support gave strong legitimacy to peace settlement
● 71% Yes
Referendums ARE Effective (Agree) Referendums are NOT Effective (Disagree)
High legitimacy – Outcomes reflect direct public consent, giving decisions Risk of uninformed decisions – Voters may lack knowledge on complex
strong democratic authority. issues, leading to oversimplified choices.
Direct participation – Citizens have a direct role in decision-making, Majoritarianism – Outcomes reflect majority will,
enhancing democratic engagement beyond elections. potentially overlooking minority rights and interests.
Clear mandate for action – Results provide governments with a definitive Binary simplification – Complex issues are reduced to yes/no choices,
instruction, reducing ambiguity in decision-making. limiting nuanced policy outcomes.
Check on representative institutions – Susceptibility to campaigns and misinformation –
Referendums can constrain or override political Outcomes can be shaped by media influence,
elites, reinforcing popular sovereignty. emotion, or misleading claims.
, Types of Pressure Groups
1. Insider Groups: Work within the system, close links to government + Consulted in policy-making = Examples: Confederation of British
Industry + British Medical Association
2. Outsider Groups: Operate outside government, use protests/media = Examples: Extinction Rebellion + Just Stop Oil
3. Sectional Groups: Represent a specific group/interest = Examples: National Farmers' Union + Trade unions (National Education Union)
4. Cause Groups: Promote a specific issue or cause = Examples: Greenpeace + Amnesty International
Pressure Groups that WERE Effective (Recent)
1. Marcus Rashford Campaign (2020–21)
● Not a traditional group, but pressure group-style campaign
● Outcome: Government expanded free school meals funding, shows media + public pressure
= policy change
2. Black Lives Matter UK (2020)
● Outcome: Police reviews + institutional racism inquiries + Changes to public symbols
(statues, institutions)
● Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparity 2020
3. Environmental Campaigns → Net Zero Target
● Groups like Extinction Rebellion
● Outcome: UK adopted net zero by 2050 target (2019) + Climate emergency declarations
4. Animal Welfare Campaigns (2020s)
● Pressure groups campaigning on cruelty(PETA+ RSPCA)
● Outcome: Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 = Tougher punishments
Pressure Groups that were NOT Effective
1. Anti-Brexit Campaign Groups (2016–2020)
● Multiple groups campaigning to stop Brexit
● Outcome: UK still left EU
2. Stop HS2 Campaign (ongoing)
● Environmental + local pressure groups
● Outcome: Project largely continued (despite scaling back)
3. Just Stop Oil
● Outcome: High awareness but No major policy shift + Significant public backlash over the
methods used, eg blocking major motorways or damaging art
4. NHS Pay Strike Campaigns (2022–23)
● Trade unions (e.g. nurses, junior doctors)
● Outcome:
● Some concessions, but not full demands met, partial success ≠ full effectiveness
Pressure Groups ARE Effective (Agree) Pressure Groups are NOT Effective (Disagree)
Agenda-setting power – Campaigns can rapidly Unequal influence – Wealthy or insider groups
elevate issues in public and political debate. dominate access and outcomes.
Media amplification – Modern groups use social Limited policy impact – Many achieve awareness
media to generate pressure and visibility. but not concrete legislative change.
Success when aligned with public/government Dependence on political context – Governments
opinion – Groups can accelerate existing political can ignore demands that conflict with priorities.
momentum.
Multiple access points – Insider groups influence Risk of backlash – Disruptive tactics can reduce
directly, outsider groups indirectly. public support and weaken effectiveness.
1. Democracy and participation
Direct democracy: Citizens make decisions themselves.
Representative democracy: Citizens elect representatives to decide on their behalf
Petitions (Direct Democracy) : Are they effective or good forms of democracy?
Petitions that has impacts
1. Marcus Rashford Free School Meals Campaign (2020)
● Linked to UK Parliament Petitions Committee, Over 1 million signatures
● Government initially rejected → then reversed decision
● Free school meals extended during holidays and covid through vouchers
● Forced major policy U-turn - COVID Winter Grant Scheme (2020)
2. Hillsborough Justice Campaign Petitions
● Long-term campaigning contributed to new inquests (2016 verdict: unlawful killing) Shows
petitions can work over time, not instantly
3. Sarah’s Law Campaign (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme)
● Driven by petitions and media campaigns after Sarah Payne case, which resulted in the
Introduction of disclosure scheme = Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (2010) (police
policy framework)
4. Ban on XL Bully Dogs (2023–24)
● Petitions gained hundreds of thousands of signatures after attacks, the Government
committed to ban
● Added to banned list under Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (updated 2023/24) - Clear example of
petition → legislative amendment
5. “Upskirting” Law Petition (2018)
● Petition + activism after legal loophole exposed, Government fast-tracked legislation
● Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 - Example of petition directly triggering a new criminal
offence
Petitions with limited impacts :
1. “Revoke Article 50 and Remain in the EU” (2019)
● Over 6.1 million signatures (one of the biggest ever)
● Debate was held in Parliament but the Government rejected it, Brexit proceeded, it
Contradicted result of 2016 EU Referendum, Government had strong electoral mandate
● Even overwhelming support cannot override representative democracy
2. “Second EU Referendum” Petitions (2018–2019)
● Multiple petitions with millions of signatures, Debated but ignored, No second referendum
called
● It failed as it was Politically divisive + Government unwilling to reopen issue
3. “Reduce University Tuition Fees” Petitions
● Repeated petitions (100k+ signatures), Debates were held but Fees remained high, No
reversal of £9,000+ fees
● Why it failed: High fiscal cost + Government policy commitment
, Petitions ARE Effective (Agree) Petitions are NOT Effective (Disagree)
Agenda-setting power – Petitions can force issues onto the Non-binding nature – Petitions have no legal force, meaning
political agenda, compelling debate and shaping policy governments can acknowledge them without taking any action,
discussion even if they do not directly determine outcomes. limiting their ability to produce real change.
Amplification through media and visibility – Large-scale Parliamentary sovereignty – Ultimate authority rests with elected
support can generate political pressure by increasing public representatives, so petitions cannot override government decisions
awareness and raising the reputational cost of government or legislative priorities.
inaction.
Catalyst for existing political momentum – Petitions are Dependence on political alignment – Petitions only succeed when
effective when they accelerate issues that already have they align with government priorities, making their effectiveness
underlying support, helping translate public opinion into policy conditional rather than independent.
action.
Institutional integration – Formal recognition within Superficial participation (‘clicktivism’) – Low-effort engagement
parliamentary systems provides a structured channel for can inflate apparent support without generating meaningful pressure,
participation, increasing the likelihood that public concerns weakening their overall influence.
are at least considered.
Direct Democracy (UK examples) :
Key Referendums
2016 EU Referendum
● 52% Leave vs 48% Remain
● High turnout (~72%) which Showed public engagement BUT also misinformation (e.g.
“£350m for NHS” claim)
2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
● 55% No, 45% Yes
● Turnout ~85% (very high → strong legitimacy)
2011 Alternative Vote Referendum
● 68% rejected AV
● Low engagement → shows limits of direct democracy interest
1998 Good Friday Agreement Referendum
● Overwhelming support gave strong legitimacy to peace settlement
● 71% Yes
Referendums ARE Effective (Agree) Referendums are NOT Effective (Disagree)
High legitimacy – Outcomes reflect direct public consent, giving decisions Risk of uninformed decisions – Voters may lack knowledge on complex
strong democratic authority. issues, leading to oversimplified choices.
Direct participation – Citizens have a direct role in decision-making, Majoritarianism – Outcomes reflect majority will,
enhancing democratic engagement beyond elections. potentially overlooking minority rights and interests.
Clear mandate for action – Results provide governments with a definitive Binary simplification – Complex issues are reduced to yes/no choices,
instruction, reducing ambiguity in decision-making. limiting nuanced policy outcomes.
Check on representative institutions – Susceptibility to campaigns and misinformation –
Referendums can constrain or override political Outcomes can be shaped by media influence,
elites, reinforcing popular sovereignty. emotion, or misleading claims.
, Types of Pressure Groups
1. Insider Groups: Work within the system, close links to government + Consulted in policy-making = Examples: Confederation of British
Industry + British Medical Association
2. Outsider Groups: Operate outside government, use protests/media = Examples: Extinction Rebellion + Just Stop Oil
3. Sectional Groups: Represent a specific group/interest = Examples: National Farmers' Union + Trade unions (National Education Union)
4. Cause Groups: Promote a specific issue or cause = Examples: Greenpeace + Amnesty International
Pressure Groups that WERE Effective (Recent)
1. Marcus Rashford Campaign (2020–21)
● Not a traditional group, but pressure group-style campaign
● Outcome: Government expanded free school meals funding, shows media + public pressure
= policy change
2. Black Lives Matter UK (2020)
● Outcome: Police reviews + institutional racism inquiries + Changes to public symbols
(statues, institutions)
● Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparity 2020
3. Environmental Campaigns → Net Zero Target
● Groups like Extinction Rebellion
● Outcome: UK adopted net zero by 2050 target (2019) + Climate emergency declarations
4. Animal Welfare Campaigns (2020s)
● Pressure groups campaigning on cruelty(PETA+ RSPCA)
● Outcome: Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 = Tougher punishments
Pressure Groups that were NOT Effective
1. Anti-Brexit Campaign Groups (2016–2020)
● Multiple groups campaigning to stop Brexit
● Outcome: UK still left EU
2. Stop HS2 Campaign (ongoing)
● Environmental + local pressure groups
● Outcome: Project largely continued (despite scaling back)
3. Just Stop Oil
● Outcome: High awareness but No major policy shift + Significant public backlash over the
methods used, eg blocking major motorways or damaging art
4. NHS Pay Strike Campaigns (2022–23)
● Trade unions (e.g. nurses, junior doctors)
● Outcome:
● Some concessions, but not full demands met, partial success ≠ full effectiveness
Pressure Groups ARE Effective (Agree) Pressure Groups are NOT Effective (Disagree)
Agenda-setting power – Campaigns can rapidly Unequal influence – Wealthy or insider groups
elevate issues in public and political debate. dominate access and outcomes.
Media amplification – Modern groups use social Limited policy impact – Many achieve awareness
media to generate pressure and visibility. but not concrete legislative change.
Success when aligned with public/government Dependence on political context – Governments
opinion – Groups can accelerate existing political can ignore demands that conflict with priorities.
momentum.
Multiple access points – Insider groups influence Risk of backlash – Disruptive tactics can reduce
directly, outsider groups indirectly. public support and weaken effectiveness.
