How can citizens take part in a democracy, and what do pressure groups do?
Taking action in a democracy: the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways people can participate including voting, petitioning, demonstrating and joining a party or pressure group, and the types and methods of pressure groups.
A CCEA GCSE Government and Politics guide to taking action in a democracy. Covers the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways people can participate including voting, petitioning, demonstrating and joining a party or pressure group, and the types and methods of pressure groups, with a balanced view of their influence.
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain how citizens can take part in a democracy and what pressure groups do. CCEA examiners reward precise knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, the ways of participating, voting, joining a political party, joining a pressure group, petitioning and demonstrating, and the types and methods of pressure groups, with a balanced view of how influential they are.
Rights and responsibilities
Citizens in a democracy have both rights and responsibilities.
Ways of taking part
There are several ways for a citizen to take part, ranging from the simple to the more active.
- Voting. The most basic form of participation: choosing representatives in elections to the Assembly, local councils and Westminster.
- Joining a political party. Campaigning, helping select candidates, or standing for election oneself.
- Joining a pressure group. Working with others to influence government on a particular issue.
- Petitioning. Signing or organising a petition to show support for a cause and put pressure on decision-makers.
- Demonstrating. Taking part in a peaceful, lawful protest or march to draw attention to an issue.
These cover the spectrum from individual acts, such as voting, to organised collective action, such as a demonstration.
What pressure groups are
Types and methods of pressure groups
How successful are pressure groups?
Try this
Q1. Name three ways a citizen can take part in a democracy. [3 marks]
- Cue. Any three: voting, joining a party, joining a pressure group, petitioning, demonstrating.
Q2. What is the key difference between a pressure group and a political party? [2 marks]
- Cue. A party seeks to form a government; a pressure group seeks to influence government without forming one.
Q3. Give one factor that can help a pressure group succeed and one that can limit it. [2 marks]
- Cue. Help: large membership, public support, expertise or insider access; limit: few resources, rival opposition or aims clashing with government.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 1 (style)6 marksDescribe the ways in which a citizen can take part in a democracy.Show worked answer →
A knowledge question testing AO1. List and briefly explain several ways.
Voting: the most basic way, choosing representatives in elections to the Assembly, councils and Westminster.
Joining a political party: campaigning, selecting candidates or standing for election.
Joining a pressure group: working with others to influence government on an issue.
Petitioning: signing or organising a petition to show support for a cause and put pressure on decision-makers.
Demonstrating: taking part in a peaceful, lawful protest or march to draw attention to an issue.
A top answer names voting, joining a party, joining a pressure group, petitioning and demonstrating, with a short explanation of each.
CCEA Unit 1 (style)10 marksExplain the methods pressure groups use and how successful they can be.Show worked answer →
An explanation question testing AO1 and AO2. Explain methods and weigh success.
Methods: lobbying decision-makers and MLAs; organising petitions; holding lawful demonstrations and marches; running media and social media campaigns; and, for insider groups, working directly with government.
What helps success: large membership or public support, expertise that government needs, good organisation, insider access, and aims that fit the public mood.
What limits success: opposition from other groups, limited resources, aims that clash with government policy, and being an outsider group with little access.
Balance: a strong answer explains the methods and then argues that success varies, using both factors. A measured judgement reaches the top band.
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Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Government and Politics specification — CCEA (2017)