1.1 Consideration for the case of reform

Question 1

why does the UK democracy need reform?

Answer 1

trust in politicans is sooooo bad now.
and like if voting is low, legitimacy and mandate is also so low

Question 2

are the proposals for the reform of democracy convincing?

Answer 2

the usa has ballot initiatives where voters can influence public policy - this would be a good thing

it encourages accountability and would address claims of democratic deficit

Question 3

what is democratic deficit?

Answer 3

if only a minority of citizens engage in politics, the government is illegitimate

Question 4

proposals: people’s referendums

Answer 4

direct democracy!! currently, it feels like there are only referendums when the government need people to vote (brexit, genny lecs, etc)

Question 5

referendums example - ireland

Answer 5

1937 constitution says any proposed constitutional change has to be endorsed by the public in a referendum

same sex marriage - 2015
abortion - 2018

Question 6

what are the disadvantages of ireland having a referendum everytime there’s a call for constitutional reform?

Answer 6

can lead to overlaod Ireland had 19 referendums in 22 years with an average turnout of 48%

Question 7

switzerland example?

Answer 7

if a petition demanding new law has over 100,000 signatures, a referendum is triggered.

Question 8

what are the disadvantages of common referendums?

switzerland example

Answer 8

it could create a conflict between urgancies and long-term priorities.

in 2021, swiss voters rejected govs proposals for new green taxes to help it reach paris treaty carbon commitments, leaving its environmental policies.

these referndums are also majoritarian and they can be weaponised over divisive issues rather than advancing liberal democracy

Question 9

debate surrounding e petitions

Answer 9

100,000 votes should trigger a parliemtnary vote says critics, but this would give gov less time to complete programmes they are voted in on
Eg. in 2021 an epetition demanded HS2 production be stopped immediately.

Question 10

how could power of recall be improved? (+ US example)

Answer 10

broadening requirements? this could weaken whips + make MPs more responsive to their constitutients :D

19 states have policies of recallm in 2003 Gray Davis governor for california was recalled over his failure to balance the budget.

Question 11

critics of broadening recall?

Answer 11

this would undermine the Burkean principle that MPs should act in their own conscience if MPs were recalled over decisions conflicting with their constituents, parliament could be deprived of free thinking MPs.

Question 12

why is devolution a good thing for Scotland?

Answer 12

in Scotland and in Wales, issues are much closer to the public than they were before the Scotland Acts.

Question 13

why could devolution be a bad thing in Scotland and Wales?

Answer 13

the turnout is low. The public don’t seem to be interested.

Question 14

2004 vote in the North east

Answer 14

they were offered their own regional assembly, but only 22% voted in favour

Question 15

why is the house of lords a negative thing for democracy?

Answer 15

political cronyism.

Question 16

Why could House of Lords reform be a good thing?

Answer 16

an elected chamber would make Westminster more legitimate and democratically accountable

Question 17

but why could an elected HoL also be a bad thing? (same idea)

Answer 17

it would probably cause competition with the commons, and potentially gridlock like in America.

It is also hard to see how it would encourage voter participation, considering the lack of interest in politics and trust in Mps.

Question 18

political cronyism example

Answer 18

Boris Johnson elected 86 life peers, most of whom were conservatives, including Peter Cruddas, a major donor to the party.

Also Harry Mount, the author of The Wit and Wisdom of Boris Johnson to the HoL Appointments Commission, who vets all nominations (HOLAC)

Question 19

why could digital democracy be a good thing?

Answer 19

supposedly greater political engagementw

Question 20

why could digital democracy also be a bad thing?

Answer 20

populism over informed decisions.
it would not be confidential, increasing possible voter manipulation

allegations of cyber interference in western elections by Russia

Question 21

FPTP reform: why?

Answer 21

FPTP discourages voting because of the 2 party system, a proportional system would create a fair connection between the votes a party receives and the seats in parliament

Question 22

disadvantages of FPTP reform: example 2011 AV referendum

Answer 22

in a 2011 AV referendum, a large majority 67.9% voted in favour of keeping FPTP

Question 23

disadvantages of FPTP reform: scotland and wales

Answer 23

welsh and scottish parliaments use AMS, but voter turnouts are incredibly low

Question 24

compulsory voting: what is it? where is it used?

Answer 24

in order to maximise a government’s legitimacy, 16 nations have compulsory voting

Belgium 2019 federal election turnout was 90%

Austrailia 2019 federal election turnout was 92%

Question 25

is compulsory voting a good thing?

Answer 25

1. enhances mandate
2. forced engagement in politics
3. disregards political apathy
4. governments reflect older, wealthier people more: because they vote more, compulsory voting would make government more representative
5. the voter could still spoil the ballot if nothing appeals to them

Question 26

why is compulsory voting also a bad thing?

Answer 26

1. gives too much power to citizens
2. the public should be able to choose whether to vote or not, there would be less incentive for politicans to engage with the public
3. activists don’t vote to make a point, but this is defeated
4. doesn’t address why people don’t want to vote
5. extra votes does not mean informed ones
6. may reduce enthusiasm for democracy because it may seem oppressive to some

Question 27

EXAMPLE: 2019 ipsos MORI turnout by age

Answer 27

47% of 18-24 year olds compared to 74% od 65+ year olds in 2019

Question 28

direct link between ______ and voter turnout?

Answer 28

affluence: the 30 constituencies with the highest voter turnout also had much higher house prices and more university graduates than the 30 constituencies with the lowest voter turnout

Question 29

who cannot vote?

Answer 29

members of the HoL, because they already have their best interests represented.
people who are declared mentally incapaciated.

Question 30

votes at 16 coalition established in _______ bringing together the ________ _____ __ ________ and the _______ ______ _______ to campaign for __________ ___ ________ ___

Answer 30

2019
national union of students
and the British Youth Council to campaign for lowering the voting age

Question 31

when did 16 year olds get the vote in scotland

Answer 31

2014 independence referendum - 16 year olds could vote

Question 32

votes at 16 coalition

Answer 32

established a major presence on social media, encourages school and college debates ‘engage, empower, inspire’

• they have a list of all MPs and Lords who endorse the campaign

Question 33

Jim Mcmahon’s PMB to lower the age, when was it? why did it fail?

Answer 33

2017-2019
failed because lack of parliamentary time. There is no incentive for a conservative government to lower the voting age because young people are generally left leaning

Question 34

John Hirst, 2001

Answer 34

claimed he should be able to vote despite being in prison

Question 35

which pressure groups support prisoner voting

Answer 35

Liberty and the Howard League for Penal Reform

Question 36

what happened in 2011 with prisoner voting

Answer 36

it received cross party damnation

Question 37

Scotland rules on prisoner voting

Answer 37

prisoners serving less than 12 months can vote for the Scottish Parliament and in local elections