How do other countries govern themselves and how does this compare with the UK?
Key differences in how citizens can or cannot participate in politics in one democratic and one non-democratic political system outside the UK, compared with the UK system.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the key differences in how citizens can or cannot participate in politics in one democratic and one non-democratic system outside the UK, compared with the UK system.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to compare how citizens can or cannot take part in politics in one democratic and one non-democratic system outside the UK, and to set this against the UK. This Politics and participation topic (Paper 1 Section B) is tested through "Explain" questions on a single difference and through extended "Discuss" questions that compare systems and reach a judgement. The examiner rewards specific, accurate comparison: not "their system is bad" but precise differences in voting, parties, protest, the press and the rule of law. The key idea is that what defines a democracy is whether citizens can freely choose, influence and remove those who hold power.
Why compare other systems
Studying other countries puts the UK in context. It shows that features citizens here take for granted, such as choosing between parties or protesting without fear, are not universal. The comparison is built around participation: in any system, you can ask how a citizen votes, whether they can join a party or group, whether they can protest, and whether the press is free to criticise those in power. Asking these same questions of each system makes the differences clear and gives an exam answer its structure. AQA wants comparison, so the strongest answers run the same checklist across both systems rather than describing each in isolation.
A democratic system outside the UK
Other democracies give citizens broadly similar opportunities to the UK: regular free elections, a choice of parties, the right to join groups and protest, and a free press. But the machinery differs. Some democracies have a written (codified) constitution that sets out citizens' rights in one document, where the UK's is uncodified. Some directly elect a president as head of government, where the UK's Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in Parliament. Some use more proportional voting systems, where the UK mainly uses first-past-the-post. These differences are useful in an exam because they let you say not just "this country is also a democracy" but exactly how its citizens take part differently from those in the UK.
A non-democratic system outside the UK
In a non-democratic system the channels of participation that define a democracy are restricted or absent. There may be no genuine choice of party, or elections may be held but tightly controlled so the outcome is not really in doubt. Opposition parties, independent pressure groups and public protest may be banned or punished. The media is often censored or state-controlled, so citizens cannot freely criticise those in power or get independent information. The result is that citizens have few real ways to influence decisions or remove their rulers. Setting this against the UK shows the heart of the comparison: democracy is defined less by holding an election and more by whether citizens can freely choose and hold power to account.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20184 marksExplain one way participation in a non-democratic system differs from participation in the UK.Show worked answer →
A Paper 1 Section B "Explain" question (AO1 plus AO2). State a difference and develop it.
In the UK, citizens can take part by voting in free and fair elections between competing parties, joining pressure groups and protesting, and a free press can criticise the government.
In a non-democratic (authoritarian) system, there may be no genuine choice of party, elections may be controlled or absent, opposition and protest may be banned, and the media may be censored by the state. The key difference is that citizens cannot freely choose or remove their rulers.
Markers reward a clear difference, developed with what citizens can do in the UK versus what they cannot do in the non-democratic system.
AQA 20228 marksDiscuss how the ways citizens can participate differ between a democratic and a non-democratic system.Show worked answer →
A Paper 1 extended "Discuss" question (AO1, AO2 and AO3). Compare both systems and reach a judgement.
In a democracy, citizens choose their government in free and fair elections, can join any party or pressure group, can protest peacefully, and benefit from a free press and the rule of law that protect these freedoms.
In a non-democratic system, power is held without genuine consent: elections may be unfair or absent, opposition parties and protest may be banned, and the media is often censored, so citizens have few real ways to influence or remove those in power.
A strong answer compares specific channels of participation (voting, joining groups, free media, protest) point by point and concludes that the defining difference is whether citizens can freely choose and hold their rulers to account. Markers reward balanced comparison plus a justified conclusion.
Related dot points
- The meaning of democracy, the difference between direct and representative democracy, the nature of the UK as a constitutional monarchy, and the main parts of government.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the meaning of democracy, the difference between direct and representative democracy, the UK as a constitutional monarchy, and the main parts of government.
- The nature of the uncodified British constitution, where sovereignty resides, the institutions of the constitution, and how the relationships between them control political power.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the nature of the uncodified British constitution, where sovereignty resides, the institutions of the constitution, and how the relationships between them control political power.
- How elections work, the first-past-the-post system and its strengths and weaknesses, other voting systems used in the UK, and who can vote.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on how UK elections work, the first-past-the-post system and its strengths and weaknesses, other voting systems used in the UK, and who is entitled to vote.
- The ways citizens can participate in democracy and influence decisions, including voting, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, protest, and the role of the media.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on how citizens participate in democracy and influence decisions, including voting, joining parties and pressure groups, petitions, peaceful protest and the role of the media.
- The UK's role in key international organisations, including the United Nations, NATO, the Commonwealth, the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organization, and how membership shapes the UK's place in the wider world.
A focused answer for AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies on the UK's role in international organisations, including the United Nations, NATO, the Commonwealth and the Council of Europe, what each body does and how membership shapes the UK's place in the world.