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4. (a) State three factors that influence the timing of a general election - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 4
4. (a) State three factors that influence the timing of a general election. (b) Explain three differences between direct and representative democracy.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:4. (a) State three factors that influence the timing of a general election - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
State three factors that influence the timing of a general election.
Answer
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Fixed Term Parliaments Act: The timing of a General Election can be influenced by this legislation, which establishes a five-year cycle for elections.
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Vote in the House of Commons: A General Election can occur if there is a two-thirds majority vote in the House of Commons under the terms of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.
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Vote of No Confidence: If the incumbent government loses a vote of no confidence, it can trigger a General Election.
Step 2
Explain three differences between direct and representative democracy.
Answer
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Definition: In a direct democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making processes. In contrast, representative democracy involves citizens electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
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Decision-Making: Direct democracy allows citizens to vote on specific issues directly. Representative democracy relies on elected officials to represent the interests and decisions of their constituents.
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Examples and Feasibility: Direct democracy is often practiced in smaller communities or in referendums. Representative democracy is more common in larger nations due to the complexities of governance and the scale of population.