A GCSE Revision Guide written by a Year 10 Student recapping all the key topics for A342 OCR Exam.

1. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
3.2.1 -Identities and Communities
Being British
To be British you have to be Patriotic and proud of your country. If you were born here, but moved
to a different country, you still can be British.
Cultural Traditions:
Cultural Traditions include more than having afternoon tea or wearing bowler hats. Royal Traditions
include: Trooping the colour, The Queen’s speech and Royal Ascot. There are festival occasions such
as: dancing around a maypole on May Day or setting Guy Fawkes alight on Bonfire night.
Value Systems
Personal Freedom: Equal Opportunity:
Being free to make your Everyone has equal
own decisions, careers and chances
choices. Getting a job should
The right to speak your depend on the quality of
mind BUT being careful to that certain skill NOT race
not offend others while or culture.
doing so. Equal rights for women
Representative Democracy: British Law:
The right to have a say in Laws are created to make
how Britain is run! life fair
People elect MPs who Everyone has to follow the
represent their set of rules
constituents Illegal acts won’t be
tolerated
To protect our rights.
British and the UK
Britain= England, Scotland and Wales
UK= Britain and Northern Ireland
City/Town/Area Accent
Birmingham Brummie
London Cockney
Wales Welsh
Liverpool Scouse
Manchester Manchurian

2. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Key Religions
Christianity
Islam
Sikhism
Hinduism
Judaism
Buddhism
Key Ethnics/Races
White Black Asian Oriental
Britain is a Multicultural country
For centuries immigration has bought many different people to the UK. This is why the UK is very
diverse today and multi-cultural.
The History
The Celts were Then the They brought The Normans
the first to live Romans came. over Black then invaded in
in Britain. Africans. 1066.
The Russians Protestants then Gypsies then A Jewish
and Nazis came settled. arrived in the community then
over. 16th Century. settled.
Seafarers from Black and Asian Immigration The Chinese,
India and China Troops from India Americans,
came over. increased. French & Polish
Cypriot, Turkish
and Eastern
Europeans came

3. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Immigration
Immigration means entering or leaving legally or illegally.
There are many reasons on why some people leave such as:
 War
 Poverty
 Lack of educational prospects
 Lack of employment prospects
 Persecution
 Lack of Human Rights
The reasons they come to the Britain are:
 Financial Security
 Escape war
 Better lifestyle
 More educational Opportunities
Community Cohesion
This is when the whole of the society work together for a cause to encourage respect and a better
understanding of one another.
Promoting Community Cohesion:
Language classes- For people who don’t speak English
Community Projects
School’s teaching student about different cultures
Passing the ‘Life in the UK’- To help foreigners understand British Cultures and Traditions
What are Human Rights? – The rights you have as a human.
The 30 Human rights:
1. Nationality
2. Marriage and Family
1. Born free and equal
3. Ownership 16. Marriage and Family
2. Don’t Discriminate
4. Freedom of thoughts 17. Ownership
3. Live free
5. Freedom of expression 18. Freedom of thoughts
4. No slavery
6. Public Assembly 19. Freedom of expression
5. No torture
7. Democracy 20. Public Assembly
6. Universal
8. Social Security 21. Democracy
7. Equal before the law
9. Workers Rights 22. Social Security
8. Protected by the law
10. To play 23. Workers Rights
9. No unfair detainment
11. Food and shelter for all 24. To play
10. To have a trial
12. Education 25. Food and shelter for all
11. Innocent till proven guilty
13. Copyright 26. Education
12. Privacy
14. Fair and free world 27. Copyright
13. To move
28. Fair and free world
14. Asylum
29. To know
15. Nationality
30. No one can take away your rights

4. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Regional Variations
-Regional Variation  How different aspects are different to the rest of the regions and areas such
as:
 Accents
 The way you dress
 What you eat
 Hobbies
Census
A census is a procedure done every 10 years that records
important information about the member’s o f the public.
Important information such as: Full name, current address,
wages etc is recorded by the government.
Glossary:
Creed: A Religion
Identity: The Characteristics that make you who you are
Ethnicity: Involved in a particular racial or cultural groups
Prejudice: Unreasonable and unfair dislike for a particular type of person or thing
Stereotype: A fixed or set characteristics to represent a person
Religion: The belief in a god or gods and all the activities
Community: Groups living in within a society
Discrimination: To recognise and understand someone’s differences
Multi-culturalism: Different ethnic background coming together
Interdependence: Working together and alongside each other
Immigration: Coming in to a country or different area
Diversity: Having different forms
National: Related to the entire nation or country
Regional: Related to a particular region or a country

5. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
3.2.2.-Fairness and Justice in decision-making and the Law
The Law
“Law is a formal method of controlling people and society through rules set down and then enforced
through courts and the legal system”
Laws are there for people’s health and safety- E.g. The ban of smoking in public places 
to protect the health of non smokers from harmful chemicals.
Making Laws
The Government draws up a bill; The First Reading; The Second Reading;
Politicians talk to experts about Title of the Bill is read out in HOC Debates are set out and a vote is
their idea. Several Drafts are and the date for the second taken. If the bill is voted against, it
made (GreenWhite Paper) reading is set. does not go through to the next
stage.
The whole process is re done in Report Stage and Third Reading; Committee Stage;
the House of Lords;
The committee reports on any Each detail of the bill is
Lords can make changes but HOC changed and the bill is read out scrutinised and voted on.
have to agree. (delay up to a year) again. The vote takes place.
Back To the House of Commons; The Royal Asset;
The House of Commons can use The Queen singes of the bill. Now and Act of Parliament!
the Parliament to override the
House of Lords.
Civil and Criminal Law
Civil Law Criminal Law
Solve disputes between Maintain Law & Order and to protect the
individuals/businesses/organisations. citizens.
Includes: Family law, Contract law and Started up by the Police by the Crown
ASBOs. Prosecution Service (CPS).
The person/organisation is the wrong Criminal cases include: theft, murder and
must pay compensation to the other drink driving.
party.
Punishment could vary e.g. Chop down a Always in a punishment; fines,
tree that is blocking a neighbour’s light. probations, curfew, prison...
The decision is a civil case if made by judge/judges not a jury!

6. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Antisocial Behaviour Orders
They are orders that prevent people from doing different things e.g. being noisy, begging, spitting or
harassing someone.
An ASBO is a civil order though if you break one = 5 YEARS IN PRISON!
Legal Support
The Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB)
Solicitors
- Provide free legal support
- Provide legal support and
- From money to relationship
represent you in court
problems
- Not free as it is expensive
- Ring/Email
- Specialist areas
Punishment and the Youth Justice
Youth Justice System deals with crime.
Different types of punishments for Law- Breakers...
 Fines  Speeding
 Community Sentences Curfew
 Restorative Justice Offender and victim communicating
 Prison  From weeks to life
The Police and the CPS
o Main Law enforcers in Britain
o Many types of police officers; from patrol officers to police detectives
o The CPS decide whether the case should be taken into court
Protecting Human Rights
 Human Rights are enforceable by the European Law
 1948 UN published Universal Declaration of Human Rights (means nothing in the
court of law)
 1953 EU passed European Convention of Human Rights (enforced by the law)
Humanitarian Law Humanitarian Law-Aim to protect human
rights of civilians such as:
 Protects rights in conflict
 Rules that regulate how wars are  needless suffering weapons-NO
fought in order to limit suffering  Attacks direct to Enemy
and destruction  No enemy to be hurt

7. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Democracy 3.2.3.-Democracy and Voting
Ruled by the
The UK is a
Democracy only People for the
representative
exists if you have People!
democracy-
Rights and
Elections take place
Freedoms!
History
● ● ●
End of 17th Century- Democratic Country Non Democratic Country
Parliament took control
from Monarchy Choice of political parties One political party
E.g. UK, France, USA No Vote
19th Century- Series of Elections held regularly Media Controlled
reform Acts; more men can Can be a Republic A lot of Power
vote
Constitutional Monarchy Opposition is suppressed
1918- The Representation (limited powers)
of the people Act; men over
21 and women over 30 can
vote
1928- The voting age
lowered to 21 (Equality)
● ● ●
Dictatorship
“A system of Government in which a country is ruled by a single person with absolute power”
Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein and
Colonel Gaddafi – All were voted in
but became very harsh dictators.
LEFT CENTRE RIGHT
SOCIALSIT FACIST

8. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Political Parties
Voting Conservatives
Happens in Polling Stations
Ballot box
Ballot Paper
First Past the Post Candidate with the most votes becomes MP; the party with the most
votes become Government; leader of winning party becomes Prime Minister!
Influencing Decision Making
Pressure Groups- Interest Groups-
Group of people who try to Group of people who try to
influence decision makers as they influence decision makers as they
are concerned about a particular are concerned about a particular
Drug Abuse
issue issue
Terrorism
Media Broadcasting
Ways in Fashion
Types of which media
Radio Media Books is used
Crime
Magazine
Social Networking Poverty
Religion
TV Newspaper
Free Press
Positive- Freedom of Speech
Negative- Bias/ create conflict/ violating someone’s right to privacy
Censorship
Positive- Protecting the Government/ creating a stronger country
Negative- You cannot voice your full opinion

9. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
European Union
3.2.4.-United Kingdom and the rest of the world
Has 27 members (countries)
UK joined before 2004
Work together as alliances
Obey the EU Laws and contribute to the EU Budget
Keep peace in Europe
European Commission Appointed by the Government of Not everyone agrees
other countries
Seen sometimes as
European Parliament 736 members; elected by the EU undemocratic
citizens Too diverse for the EU to be
effective
Council of the EU 1 minister/ Government of each
UK giving too much
member country
independence
The Commonwealth
54 members
British monarch
Meet every 2 years
Commonwealth games
The United Nations
Resolve conflicts and protect victims
General Assembly = Annual Meeting
International Criminal Court set up in 2002 Humanitarian laws; war and genocide
Security Council Peace and security (15 members)
Kyoto Protocol Agreement on Pollute less (1997)
What the UK has done?
Switching from coal to oil power stations
More recycling
Better nylon manufacture

10. Sadiya Attiq GCSE Citizenship Revision Guide For 3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.3/3.2.4
Glossary
Civil law- The part of the common law that sorts out disagreements between people when
the state is not directly involved.
Commonwealth of Nations- Organisation originating British colonies which work together
towards common social and political aims.
Consumer rights – The rights of someone who buys something or pays for a service.
Crown courts- Courts that deal with serious criminal cases- (verdict decided by jury)
Crown Prosecution Service- A separate body from the police. They decide if someone should
be taken into court.
Democracy- A system where the country is ruled by the people for the people.
Dictatorship- A system of Government in which a country is ruled by a single person with
absolute power.
European commission- The EU institution which rights economic/environmental/social and
foreign policy.
European Convention on HR- An international agreement which sets out the human rights
which apply to everyone.
European Parliament- the Elected group which controls EU.
European Union- An economic and political alliance of member states.
First Past the Post- The voting system for general elections in the UK. The candidate with the
most votes wins.
Humanitarian laws- Rules of what the country is allowed to do in a war (unnecessary
suffering or damage is prevented).
Interdependence- Where one action/factor is affected by the actions of another (vice versa).
International Criminal Court- A court set up by UN to deal with war cranial and accused of
genocide.
Kyoto Protocol- An agreement signed in 1997. It aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Magistrates’ court- Local courts which hear most criminal cases.
Media- Ways of communicating with the public using technologies of print, video and sound.
Non-statutory bodies- Organisation not set up by the government and with no legal powers
such as Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
Parliament- The body which makes the laws in the UK. It consists of the HOL, HOC and the
Monarchy.
Press Complaints Commission- Manages the voluntary code of conduct which governs the
newspapers and magazines.
Referendum- When an important question is put out to a direct vote of people
Representative democracy- The system of government where people elect representatives
to run different factors.
Sustainable development- Improving qualities of life in a way that can continue in the future.
United Nations- An organisation which aims to find peaceful solutions to conflicts and
promote global cooperation and human rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights- The document which lays down the basic human
rights which everyone has.