Welcome to Unit 1: Democracy in Action
Welcome to your study guide for CCEA GCSE Government and Politics (Unit 1)! Politics affects almost every part of our daily lives—from the laws we follow to the schools we attend. In this unit, we will explore core political ideas, how voting systems work, how political institutions in Northern Ireland operate, and how citizens like you can make their voices heard.
Don't worry if some terms feel new or challenging at first. We will break down every idea step-by-step with clear examples and memory tips!
Quick Exam Fact: Unit 1 is assessed in a 1 hour 30-minute written exam worth 50% of your total GCSE. It covers domestic democracy (Northern Ireland and the UK), so remember to keep your examples focused on domestic politics rather than international bodies.
1. Fundamental Ideas: Democracy, Power, and Authority
Let's begin with the building blocks of politics: what a democracy is and who holds the power.
Democracy vs. Dictatorship
• Democracy: A system of government where power belongs to the people. Citizens exercise this power either directly or by freely electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
• Dictatorship: A form of government where one single person or a small group holds absolute power, without any effective constitutional rules or limits to hold them back.
The 5 Key Features of a Healthy Democracy
For a country to truly be called a democracy, it needs five essential ingredients:
1. Regular, Free, and Fair Elections: Citizens can vote secretly without fear or intimidation, and elections happen on a predictable schedule.
2. Multiple Political Parties: Voters must have genuine choices between different parties and ideas.
3. Independent Judiciary: Judges and courts must be free from government interference so they can apply the law fairly.
4. Free Press: Journalists and media outlets can report facts and scrutinize politicians without government censorship.
5. Protection of Individual Rights: Basic rights and civil liberties (such as freedom of speech and assembly) are guaranteed and protected by law.
Understanding Power vs. Authority
Students often mix these two terms up, but they mean different things:
• Political Power: The practical ability to influence or control the behaviour of people and the decisions of government. (Think: having the muscle or leverage to make things happen.)
• Authority: The recognized, legitimate right to rule and make decisions. In a democracy, authority is granted by the people through a legal process such as an election. (Think: a referee in a football match—players listen because the referee has the official authority to enforce the rules.)
Key Takeaway for Section 1: Power is the ability to get things done; authority is the legitimate right to do so. In a democracy, citizens grant that authority through free and fair elections.
2. Elections and Voting Systems
Elections are the heartbeat of democracy. In the UK and Northern Ireland, different voting systems are used for different elections.
A. First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)
• Where it is used: UK General Elections to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to Westminster.
• How it works: The country is divided into constituencies. Voters cast a single vote for one candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins the seat (this is called a plurality). A candidate does not need an absolute majority (over 50%) of votes to win—just one more vote than the second-place candidate.
• Advantages: Simple to understand and count; usually produces a decisive, single-party government; keeps a clear link between an MP and their constituency.
• Disadvantages: Highly unrepresentative (seats won often do not match the total percentage of votes cast); many votes are "wasted" (votes for losing candidates or surplus votes for the winner count for nothing).
B. Single Transferable Vote (STV)
• Where it is used: Northern Ireland Assembly elections (Stormont) and local council elections in Northern Ireland.
• How it works: Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3...) on the ballot paper. Constituencies elect multiple representatives rather than just one.
• The Quota: To win a seat, a candidate must reach a specific threshold of votes known as the Droop Quota. If a candidate exceeds the quota, their surplus votes are transferred to other candidates based on voters' next preferences. The lowest-ranking candidates are also eliminated and their votes transferred until all seats are filled.
• Advantages: Highly proportional (the percentage of seats won closely mirrors the percentage of votes cast); offers broad voter choice (you can vote for candidates across different parties); fewer wasted votes.
• Disadvantages: Counting votes takes longer and is more complicated; can lead to coalition governments that find it harder to agree quickly.
Common Pitfalls Alert!
• Pitfall 1 (Turnout vs. Percentage): If a question asks about lowering the voting age to 16, remember that while adding 16- and 17-year-olds increases the total number of voters, it does not automatically increase the percentage turnout rate.
• Pitfall 2 (STV vs. List PR): In STV, voters choose individual people in order of preference (1, 2, 3), not just a closed list of parties.
Key Takeaway for Section 2: FPTP is a plurality system used for Westminster that prioritises quick, single-party outcomes. STV is a preferential, proportional system used in Northern Ireland that ensures fair representation across communities.
3. Political Institutions in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has unique political institutions designed to ensure fairness, stability, and representation for all communities.
The Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont)
The Assembly is the legislative (law-making) body for Northern Ireland and sits at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
• Structure: It is made up of 90 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly).
• Three Primary Functions:
1. Law-Making: Debating and passing legislation on "transferred matters" (local issues like health, education, and transport).
2. Scrutiny: Checking and questioning the work of government ministers and departments through Assembly debates and statutory committees.
3. Representation: Standing up for the interests and concerns of local constituents.
The Northern Ireland Executive
The Executive is the administrative branch (the government) responsible for running departments and carrying out policies.
• Joint Office: The Executive is headed jointly by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister.
• Power-Sharing: Ministerial positions are shared among different political parties using a mathematical formula called the d'Hondt system based on the number of seats won in the Assembly.
Important Exam Warning: The Joint Office
Never write that the First Minister has more power than the deputy First Minister! In CCEA Government and Politics, it is crucial to remember that they hold a joint and equal office. One cannot make major executive decisions without the agreement of the other, and if one resigns, both lose their position.
Key Takeaway for Section 3: The 90 MLAs in the Assembly make laws and scrutinize policy, while the Executive shares power using the d'Hondt system, led by an equal and joint First Minister and deputy First Minister.
4. Political Participation: Parties and Pressure Groups
Voting is not the only way to participate in politics. Citizens get involved through political parties and pressure groups.
Political Parties
A political party is an organized group of people with shared values who aim to gain political power by winning elections and forming a government.
In Northern Ireland, political parties are typically categorized by their constitutional stance:
• Unionist: Parties that support Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom.
• Nationalist: Parties that advocate for a united Ireland.
• Other: Parties that focus on other issues (such as social, economic, or environmental matters) and do not designate strictly as Unionist or Nationalist.
Pressure Groups
A pressure group is an organization of people who share a common interest or cause and seek to influence government decisions and public policy without seeking election themselves (for example, environmental groups like Greenpeace or trade unions representing workers).
How Pressure Groups Influence Government
Pressure groups use a variety of methods to get their message across:
• Lobbying: Meeting directly with MLAs, MPs, or government ministers to persuade them to change a policy.
• Petitions: Gathering signatures from the public to demonstrate widespread support for a cause.
• Demonstrations and Marches: Organizing peaceful public rallies to attract public attention and media coverage.
• Social Media Campaigns: Using digital platforms to spread awareness quickly and mobilize younger supporters.
• Giving Expert Evidence: Presenting research findings and expert opinions to Assembly and Parliamentary committees.
Parties vs. Pressure Groups: Quick Comparison
• Goal: Political parties want to win power and govern; pressure groups want to influence those who already hold power.
• Elections: Political parties run candidates in elections; pressure groups do not seek government office.
• Focus: Political parties hold policies across all government issues; pressure groups often focus on specific single issues or the interests of a particular section of society.
Key Takeaway for Section 4: Political parties seek election to govern; pressure groups campaign from the outside using lobbying, petitions, and demonstrations to shape policy decisions.
5. Quick Exam Checklist & Revision Summary
Before stepping into the Unit 1 exam, double-check that you can clearly explain:
• The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship.
• The difference between power (ability to act) and authority (legitimate right to act).
• How FPTP works for Westminster (plurality, winner-takes-all) versus how STV works for Stormont (preferences 1, 2, 3... and the Droop Quota).
• The three main roles of an MLA (legislating, scrutiny, representing).
• Why the First Minister and deputy First Minister hold an equal, joint office.
• How pressure groups differ from political parties and the methods they use to influence decisions.
• Why you must keep your examples focused on domestic UK and Northern Ireland politics for Unit 1, saving international organizations (like the UN or NATO) for Unit 2.