All unit 1 government and politics past questions:
2011
1) Explain the term turnout used in the extract. (5 marks)
2) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, consider why some commentators have spoken of a ‘participation crises in recent years. (10 marks)
3) ‘Deciding which party to vote for is now essentially a rational exercise.’ Discuss. (25 marks)
4) Explain the term wasted votes used in the extract. (5 marks)
5) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, consider why the first-past-the-post system disadvantages some parties. (10 marks)
6) ‘The use of referendums in the UK since 1997 has done little to strengthen democracy.’ Discuss. (25 marks)
7) Explain the term party conference used in the extract. (5 marks)
8) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, outline the ways in which the Conservative Party and the Labour Party select their leaders. (10 marks)
9) ‘The main UK parties differ on economic policy alone.’ Discuss. (25 marks)
10) Explain the term cause groups used in the extract. (5 marks)
11) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, consider why direct action could be said to undermine UK democracy. (10 marks)
12) ‘The most successful UK pressure groups still tend to focus on lobbying the Westminster Parliament, despite the availability of numerous other access points.’ Discuss. (25 marks)

January 2012
13) Explain the term class dealignment used in the extract. (5 marks)
14) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, consider the link between social class and voting behaviour. (10 marks)
15) ‘Low levels of turnout at recent general elections to the Westminster Parliament result from political apathy alone.’ Discuss. (25 marks)
16) Explain the term threshold as used in the extract. (5 marks)
17) Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, outline the likely consequences of adopting