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Knowledge and Understanding questions for this Syllabus Area will be based on
three different concepts:
• Participation
• Representation
• Rights and Responsibilities
Democracy- Government of the people, by the people and for the people. The
people also have certain rights and responsibilities in a democracy. Other features of
a democracy include- regular elections, a choice of parties and freedom of speech
and the press.
UK Elections-
1. Take place at least once every 5 years- last: 2005
2. First Past the Post
3. 646 Constituencies (Seats)
4. Voters put a cross beside chosen candidate. The
candidate who receives the most votes in a
constituency wins the seat. The Government is then
formed by the party winning the most seats
5. Safe Seats- those with a large majority (3,000+)
6. Marginal Seats- those with a small majority that could easily swing to another
party at the next election
Disadvantages-
1. Disadvantages small parties and works in favour of the 2 party system
2. Many votes are wasted
3. Gives government that most people didn’t vote for
4. Nothing for the runner up- “winner takes all”
AMS
Advantages-
1. Fewer votes are wasted
2. Representation for small parties
3. Strong link between MSP and constituents remains
4. Proportional- results in line with what the people want
Disadvantages-
1. Coalitions- no one single party government
2. More difficult to understand- many think second vote is a second preference
3. Too much power to small/ extreme parties- Lib Dems in government with 12%
of the vote
4. Weakened link between MSPs and constituents
5. Still not 100% proportional
6. Creates two types of MSP and causes conflict among/between them
Women-
• traditional role of women in the home
• lack of free time for politics
• male dominated system- intimidation
• stereotypes- women not confident or strong enough
• Late hours of Commons
• Childminding issues
• Often put fwd in seats they have little chance of
winning
Ethnic minorities-
• Few role models
• Racist views within electorate and/or political parties in terms
of choosing candidates
• Often put fwd in seats they have little chance of winning
Disabled-
• Insufficient facilities for some- e.g. access to buildings
• Some within electorate cannot see beyond the disability and
assume this will affect that person as an MP
• Parties see this and don’t chose disabled candidates in case
this occurs and they lose seats
• Few role models- Anne Begg, David Blunkett
Pressure Groups
Methods:
• Writing letters or • Demonstrations • Leaflets
emails • Petitions • Adverts
• Lobbying • Blockades • Meetings
elected • Strikes/Boycotts • Publicity stunts
representatives
Pressure groups have rights to participate in these ways. They have the right to
organised and meet peacefully without harassment and have the protection of the
law. They are entitled to freedom of speech and are allowed to raise funds. Pressure
groups also have responsibilities to obey the law and only use peaceful methods.
They must keep accounts of the money to raise and user and represent views of all
their members.
TUs- Participation
• Workers can join a union and pay their membership subscription. They can
then attend union meetings in the workplace and discuss issues like health
and safety in the workplace and pay and conditions.
• Members can also take part in elections. Sometimes these ballots will be to
decide whether or not the union should take industrial action, for example the
nursery nurses and fire fighters voted before going on strike. At other times
the ballot may be to elect a new representative within the union such as a
shop steward.
• Alternatively a trade union member may decide to stand as a candidate in an
election for shop steward. The candidate will campaign to try to be elected
and if they are successful they will have to represent the views of their
members during negotiations and at district meetings. A shop steward may
also attend the annual conference as a delegate.
• Finally, a member may take part in a form of industrial action such as a work-
to-rule or a strike.
• The shop steward is one of the most important jobs in the trade union. They
are responsible for trying to recruit new members into the union. A shop
steward keeps members informed of any new initiatives such as changes to
the pay scale. The shop steward is also the first person a member will go to in
order to seek help or advice about a problem at work. Finally, the shop
steward is the link between the ordinary trade union members and the union
head-quarters. They are responsible for distributing newsletters and keep
members informed of activities through the union notice-board.
Right Responsibility
• To take industrial action in • To hold a secret ballot in order to see if the majority
order to in order to protect of members are in favour of taking the action. To
the rights of the workers. ensure that all forms of industrial action are
peaceful and within the law.
• To try to attract new trade • Not to pressure anyone into joining a trade union.
union members.
• Trade unions can ask • Trade unions have a responsibility to make
members about changes in reasonable demands.
the workplace.
Ensure that you understand and can explain the different types of action that can be
taken:
Strike Action- Token strikes, lightning strikes, Unofficial strikes, Official strikes,
Syllabus Area 2- Changing Society
• Equality
• Ideology
• Need
Emotional needs
Emotional needs often include requiring companionship. Many elderly people are
very lonely, especially after the death of their partner. They enjoy company and
appreciate it when people take time to have an interest in them.
Financial needs
The financial needs of elderly people are met in a number of ways. All elderly people
receive the state old age pension, but many have other sources of income. Some
have an occupational pension and others have taken out insurance policies or
private pensions, which guarantee them a good income when they retire. Others
have savings. Some elderly people rely on their children to give them help.
Health needs
Elderly people make big demands on the NHS. They see their doctor more
frequently than other groups and are given many more prescriptions. They also take
up a large number of hospital beds, for both acute and chronic conditions. Acute
conditions can be treated. Chronic conditions will never be cured, but efforts can be
made to make an older person more ‘comfortable‘. Elderly people do not pay for their
prescriptions and, like everyone else, they‘re entitled to free health care through the
NHS. There‘s a growing number of older people in the population, so they are
becoming a bigger burden on health care services. Some have greater needs than
others, however. Dementia, Alzheimer’s, mobility, eyesight, hearing all affect people
in different ways. Ageing population- these people are most likely to suffer from a
combination of health issues.
Housing needs
Care in the Community is a system where elderly people live at home for as long as
possible, and receive special help and attention. This can include home helps, meals
on wheels, regular visits from doctors and nurses and help from the social work
department. Supporters of Care in the Community say it‘s better for the old person
because it gives them more independence. Opponents of Care in the Community
say that sometimes old people are virtually abandoned with no help at all when they
can do little for themselves.
The Unemployed
Financial needs: Unemployed people do not work and so they do not earn an
income. In order to be able to buy necessities they receive financial help to meet
their basic needs. The government helps to meet the financial needs of the
unemployed by providing them with money whilst they are actively looking for work.
The money they receive is a benefit known as Job Seekers Allowance (JSA). This
money is enough to support the basic needs of themselves and their families.
Training needs: Some unemployed people do not have the skills required to get the
types of jobs available today. Training is therefore needed to give unemployed
people the necessary skills and qualifications to get a job. Examples of a training
programmes which the government has set up are the New Deal, Modern
Apprenticeships, Training for Work, Skillseekers.
New technology has brought many advantages and disadvantages to the workplace:
Advantages Disadvantages
• Goods can be produced faster and • Fewer staff are required which
therefore more cheaply using leads to unemployment.
machinery.
• Production is footloose and can be • Sometimes footloose industries
located almost anywhere. move abroad creating
unemployment in the UK.
In some industries such as software design and mobile phone production new
technology has created job opportunities. However, in other areas such as
newspaper production and car manufacturing, computer systems and robots have
replaced the need for workers.
New technology has also created opportunities for certain groups of people. People
with physical disabilities are now able to do a wider range of jobs and more people
than ever before can work from home. However, some older workers have been
replaced by new technology and cannot get new jobs because they lack the relevant
skills.
Families- Inequality
Not all families experience the same standard of living. Some can
meet all of their material needs and are also able to enjoy many
luxuries. Others struggle to provide even their necessities.
Families with a high standard of living can afford to buy their own
home. They may own more than one car and go on several holidays
a year. Others with a low standard of living may have to rely on a low
income and/or benefits, may rent accommodation and can only afford
to buy necessities, no luxuries.
• Where there are two parents present and both working there will usually be a
higher income than in families headed by a single parent.
• Many single parent families find it difficult to get a job and arrange suitable
childcare. They may not work at all or else they may be forced to pay a lot of
money in childcare costs.
• The standard of living can also differ due to the type of job the parents do, the
number of children in the family and the housing costs of the area in which the
family lives.
A minimum wage
Minimum wage
Increased income
Increased employment as more people are needed to produce the goods and provide the services
The Disadvantages:
Minimum wage
Unemployment follows as workers who are no longer required are made redundant.
WHAT IS AN HYPOTHESIS?
A hypothesis a statement about what you expect to find and, during the research
process, you will prove whether it is true or false. DO NOT ever be tempted to
write a hypothesis in the form of a question.
If you were carrying out an investigation into the problems faced by single parents in
finding a suitable job:
“Lack of child care facilities is a major problem for single parents, looking for a
job” is a relevant hypothesis
Aims or headings will help you to prove or disprove your hypothesis. Be careful to
note whether the questions asks you for either of these, or whether it asks you for a
specific type.
If you were carrying out an investigation into the problems faced by single parents in
finding a suitable job:
AIMS
1. “To find out what child care facilities are available in my local area.”
“To find out the cost of child care facilities.” are two relevant aims.
HEADINGS