How can we influence those in power using democratic processes?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what power and influence are and how we can influence leaders through democracy.
Key learning points
- Power is the ability to make decisions, whereas influence is the ability to affect or shape decisions.
- Young people can use democratic participation to influence leaders in power.
- You do not need to have power to make change; influence can be just as effective when used with support.
- Campaigns are organised actions that people use to raise awareness and push for change within a democratic system.
- Campaigning methods include: petitions, demonstrations, consultations, meetings with decision makers and lobbying MPs.
Keywords
Power - having control or authority over something or someone
Influence - the power to affect or change someone's thoughts, actions or decisions
Campaign - actions or events organised by an individual or a group of people to achieve an aim
Common misconception
Many young people believe they cannot influence decisions because they are not old enough to vote.
Emphasise that democratic participation is not limited to voting. Pupils can have power and influence through various actions such as campaigning, petitions, joining youth organisations and speaking to decision makers.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to reflect on how they already use influence in everyday life: through friends, school, in their community and online. Relate these examples to democratic influence.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a Youth Council?
Q2.Match the start of the sentence with its ending.
even if you are too young to vote.
the right to vote in local and Scottish Parliamentary elections.
in Wales to allow over 16s to vote in local and Senedd elections.
do not give 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote.
Q3.Some people worry that 16 year olds might be easily by parents to vote independently.
Q4.Some people think 16 year olds already have lots of that are similar to adults and teaches them what is right and wrong.
Q5.What is the modern term for the right to vote?
Q6.Order this law about voting reform in Wales.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with its definition.
having control or authority over something or someone
the power to affect or change someone's thoughts, actions or decisions
actions organised by an individual or a group to achieve an aim
Q2.Which of these is NOT true about influence in a democracy?
Q3.Order these into the most logical steps to influence a decision maker.
Q4.Who has political power in a local democracy?
Q5.Which of these is a form of lobbying?
Q6.Even if you are not in power, you can still push for change in the UK because it is a society where all adults can vote in free and fair elections.
To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: How can we influence those in power using democratic processes?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: How can we influence those in power using democratic processes?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How can young people play an active role in democracy? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.