To what extent was popular pressure an important factor in determining the progress of the campaign for parliamentary reformin the period 1780-1885?

To what extent was popular pressure an important factor in determining the progress of the campaign for parliamentary reform in the period 1780-1885? Parliamentary reform was a multi-causal landed elite led campaign in the name of the aristocracy. It was the MPs and the Lords who attained the power and even by the end of 1885 there was still no universal manhood suffrage. Although popular pressure was notable, it was only periodically important. A number of other key factors allowed the three reform acts to be passed by 1885. The desire to prevent revolution and the reactionary nature of government was an extension of popular pressure and contributed to the first to reform acts in different ways. The need to gain party advantage, and to 'dish the liberals' in the case of the Conservatives, was prevalent throughout the century. McCauley's notion to 'reform that you may preserve' and the wish to gain personal advantage over each party's counterpart was also significant throughout the campaign period. Pre-1832 the reform movement was mainly a popular movement. By 1782, the Conservative Pitt the Younger raised hopes of modest parliamentary reform. In 1785 Pitt proposed a modest reform bill, however it was defeated 248-174. The French Revolution of 1789 stimulated reformist sentiments and thus created more popular support for the movement, even prompting the creation of

  • Word count: 2069
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Existing Phenomenon in Transport Planning.

Existing Phenomenon in Transport Planning Low Level of Public Participation Given the increased politicization of urban development, it is perhaps not surprising that by the end of 1980s the Government should have become more interested in strengthening the planning system and finding ways of involving the public more closely in decision making (Barlow, 1995). However, the Government not enthusiastic in inviting the public participating in decision-making process. Although communication channels are provided for the public, it is still not effective enough to reflect people's transport needs. Despite both formal and informal channels, the publics still do not have sufficient channels to participate. The formal channels are established by the Government. They are the Transport Advisory Committee, the Traffic and Transport Committees of District Boards, the Standing Panel on Transport of the LegCo, the Transport Department and the Legislative Council. However, not all the Hong Kong citizens have the ability and power to use these formal channels to have direct communication with the Government. Outside the establishment are informal channels, where the people can voice their opinions to the Government via the media. However, these people are professional bodies, members of the transport industry, and operators in the trade, and not the general public (Tam, 1989). Uneven

  • Word count: 716
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Explain Briefly the unrest in Britain 1815-21

Structured Question Explain Briefly the unrest in Britain 1815-21 This period has been said to be the closest Britain has come to a revolution with he 17th century civil war. Lord Liverpool, the Tory government faced massive problems, most of these problems being inherited from his predecessors. Matters were made werse by the intensifying radical movement which was trying to win over the working class by use of radical press and open air meetings. The agricultural and industrial revolution increased pressure on the government even more. Increasing populaion increased demand on the land. A massive agrarian change resulted in more efficient use of land, this meant that land that was previously 'common land' was now takn away from the poor, it also meant that they lost the right to collect their fuel from the land. The entire situation was worsened by the introduction of Game Laws in 1816. Alongside the agricultural changes was an even bigger industrial development. Demand to ffed and clothe this rising population meant an inecitable change from domestic based industry to large scale urban industry. Urban growth and the Industial revolution went hand in hand for example population increases in towns like Manchester went along with industrial developments in the region to fed and clothe the population. The industrial revolution however, did not come without its consequences.

  • Word count: 887
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Why did the Tsar fall?

Why Did the Tsar fall? The Tsar became the commander of the army in August 1915. He took over in person as the commander-in chief of the army, and went to live at the front. His ministers and Rodzianko, president of the Duma, warned him that this might be a fatal mistake as he would be linked with any failure of the army. The generals felt that unless the Tsar was removed there could be no victory. The Empress of Russia was Alexandra. With Nicholas at the front, Alexandra took charge of the government. Russians hated her because she was a German and because of the hold Rasputin has over her. Bruce Lockhart kept a diary during his stay in Moscow. An entry for 1915 said: 'Today an officer telephoned to ask when England was going to rid Russia of "the German woman". This, of course, was a reference to the Empress. Rasputin was a peasant from Siberia who became a starets or Holy Man. In 1905 in St Petersburg he was introduced to Tsar Nicholas' family. Soon Rasputin gained a hold over Nicholas and Alexandra. His power came from his ability to heal their son and heir, Alexis, who suffered from haemophilia (this meant his blood would not clot). If Alexis hurt himself, Rasputin could stop the boy bleeding to death From August 1915 Rasputin became Alexandra's chief adviser. Messages to Tsar Nicholas from Alexandra suggest how Rasputin helped choose ministers, and

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Examine the Decision making process in Congress. How do you explain the results that emerge from this process?

Examine the Decision making process in Congress. How do you explain the results that emerge from this process? One of the most important responsibilities a Member of Congress has is to vote. Members are called upon hundreds of times a year to cast a yea or nay on a wide selection of bills, motions, and amendments. Votes on floor amendments refine policy proposals reported from congressional committees. Votes on procedural motions may decide whether a specific issue is even debated. Votes on final passage lead to new laws for the nation. Members take voting very seriously the overall average rate of participation for Members in the last few Congress has been 95% of all votes held. In 1998, sixteen Senators and nine Representatives had perfect scores, registering 100% participation. The questions Members are asked to decide include all the contemporary issues of the day gun control, school safety, abortion rights, education assistance, environmental programs, social security reform, Medicare costs, trade with China and many more. Laws may be initiated in either chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives or the Senate. For an example of how a law is made in the US I am going to start with a bill created in the House of Representatives. When a Representative has an idea for a new law, s/he becomes the sponsor of that bill and introduces it by giving it to the clerk

  • Word count: 1932
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Compare and contrast pluralist and ruling elite accounts of political power in the UK and US.

Compare and contrast pluralist and ruling elite accounts of political power in the UK and US The UK and US are essentially both democratic societies in which government is passed by the people, however, they cannot be fully democratic political systems as this would have to be characterised with political equality, which is obviously not the case as both countries have clear leaders possessing the majority of power. The size of both countries prevents everyone from taking part in the government and instead, a representative is chosen to govern on behalf of the people. There is a difference in opinion about how this representative governs; some believe a pluralist approach is taken in which the government is responsive to a plurality of groups which represent a plurality of interests and control diverse political resources. Others are sceptical of this approach and think an elitist approach occurs in which a minority rules over the majority in its own interest. This means they govern in a way, which is rarely responsive to the common public. Some people argue that the UK and US have very different political systems and are therefore governed in different ways. For example the UK is often referred to as being a more ruling elite country having only one small government possessing power. In comparison the more pluralist US has separated institutions sharing power disperse and

  • Word count: 1584
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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To what extent was the outbreak of the civil war in england caused by Charles I's attempt at personal rule without parliament?

JON PRICE HR111 TO WHAT EXTENT WAS THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR IN ENGLAND CAUSED BY CHARLES I'S ATTEMPT AT PERSONAL RULE WITHOUT PARLIAMENT? The English civil war and the events leading up to it were one of the darker days in English history, with the highest death count before WWI that the past has ever seen. A time of tension and resentment beset England and led to a deep split within the country. Before we look at the extent of which Charles was responsible for the civil war, it is important to explore the events occurring before his coming to power. King James I, Charles predecessor, first came to power in 1603. It was before this time that James had conceived his theory of 'divine right monarchy' which was to prove unpopular amongst members of parliament, as in 1609 during a speech to Parliament James I put down the Parliament as 'cries, shouts and confusion'1 Divine right was the idea that the King was sent and blessed by God to rule on earth as 'Kings are not only GOD'S lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon throne, but even by God Himselfe they are called Gods2' a belief regarded by many to be arrogant. The country had been left in financial turmoil as a result of Elizabeth's war debts from her conflict with the Spanish, and James sought for methods of reducing the deficit, one way of doing this was through the selling of offices and titles. In 1611 a new order

  • Word count: 3176
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Analyze the relationship between the Democratic Party (D.P.) and the Kabaka Yekka (K.Y) - 'King Alone' movement.

A political party is an autonomous organized group that makes nominations in contested elections hoping to gain control of the personnel and policies of government.1 In this case, the relationship being analyzed is that of the Democratic Party (D.P.) and the Kabaka Yekka (K.Y) - 'King Alone' movement. The relationship between these two parties was one of antagonism right from the formation of the Kabaka Yekka (King Alone) in 1961. In answering this question, we shall look at what the Democratic Party and the Kabaka Yekka movement stood for, the social, political and religious situation prevailing in Buganda at the time of their existence, how the Kabaka Yekka through its activities affected Buganda between the period 1961-1962 The Democratic Party was the second political party to be formed in Uganda. It was formed in 1956. At the onset, it was exclusively Roman Catholic in origin, inspiration and membership. Their chief concern was with the furtherance of the interests of the Catholic elements in the country, and the popular support for the Democratic Party was primarily dependent upon the hostility amongst Catholics all over Uganda at the preference which de facto had been accorded to the Protestants in procuring positions of authority. Compared to the radical Uganda Peoples Congress (U.P.C) Party, the Democratic Party was more moderate. It campaigned for Africanization of

  • Word count: 3135
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Why is it often difficult to pass legislation through congress?

Jonathan Woodcock Why is it often difficult to pass legislation through congress? In comparison to the British legislative process, the US congress at first glance seems slower and more inefficient at passing bills through both houses than the Westminster parliament. This is due to a number of reasons that will be discussed in this essay. Firstly, the US congress is not as 'whipped' as the British House of Commons and the members of both houses of congress experience virtually no disciplining from party whips who expect them to toe the party line on major issues. This factor can be seen as contributing to the political volatility of congress in relation to the president, as the president can not necessarily rely on the support of congress, even if both houses are 'controlled' by his party. This issue was shown during the early years of Clinton's presidency. Because of the lack of discipline in both houses, the congressmen will tend to vote more freely, and often disagree with those of their own party. This can be seen as a more democratic legislative system as the elected members are voting of their own will and supposedly in the interests of their constituents. The fairly short tenure of members in the chambers, in particular those serving in the House often means that they attempt to 'make a name for themselves' during their elected time so that come next election, their

  • Word count: 975
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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How well did Tsarist governments cope with the pressures of modernisation during the years 1861 - 1905?

Justin Henley How well did Tsarist governments cope with the pressures of modernisation during the years 1861 - 1905? The emancipation, in its final reform, was both progressive and retrogressive. In other words, it looked simultaneously to the future and to the past. It is undeniable that, for all its faults, emancipation opened the door to the modernisation of Russia, the first stage that followed in Alexander II's subsequent reforms of the 1860's. The post emancipation reforms of Alexander II did not simply fill the gaps left in the administrative and social structure of the country by the abolition of serfdom. Several went further than that and were based on the conviction of the ministerial reformers such as the Miliutins that Russia needed a more flexible social structure, and that western freedoms were essential to Russia's future progress. Initial reformers did not look promising. Disappointed with the limitations of the emancipation statutes and the earlier suppression of the Bezdna peasants gave rise to intense frustration among radical students and university teachers. However the behaviour of the government was not as crude as it may first appear, by the end of 1862 Alexander gave his stamp of approval to his more liberal ministers. The reforms which followed came into effect in 1864, they were (in order of importance); the Judiciary, local government, the

  • Word count: 1624
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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