1.1 Consideration for the case of reform Flashcards
in terms of the UKs democracy
why does the UK democracy need reform?
trust in politicans is sooooo bad now.
and like if voting is low, legitimacy and mandate is also so low
are the proposals for the reform of democracy convincing?
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
what is democratic deficit?
if only a minority of citizens engage in politics, the government is illegitimate
proposals: people’s referendums
direct democracy!! currently, it feels like there are only referendums when the government need people to vote (brexit, genny lecs, etc)
referendums example - ireland
1937 constitution says any proposed constitutional change has to be endorsed by the public in a referendum
same sex marriage - 2015
abortion - 2018
what are the disadvantages of ireland having a referendum everytime there’s a call for constitutional reform?
can lead to overlaod Ireland had 19 referendums in 22 years with an average turnout of 48%
switzerland example?
if a petition demanding new law has over 100,000 signatures, a referendum is triggered.
what are the disadvantages of common referendums?
switzerland example
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
debate surrounding e petitions
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.
how could power of recall be improved? (+ US example)
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.
critics of broadening recall?
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.
why is devolution a good thing for Scotland?
in Scotland and in Wales, issues are much closer to the public than they were before the Scotland Acts.
why could devolution be a bad thing in Scotland and Wales?
the turnout is low. The public don’t seem to be interested.
2004 vote in the North east
they were offered their own regional assembly, but only 22% voted in favour
why is the house of lords a negative thing for democracy?
political cronyism.
Why could House of Lords reform be a good thing?
an elected chamber would make Westminster more legitimate and democratically accountable
but why could an elected HoL also be a bad thing? (same idea)
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.
political cronyism example
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)
why could digital democracy be a good thing?
supposedly greater political engagementw
why could digital democracy also be a bad thing?
populism over informed decisions.
it would not be confidential, increasing possible voter manipulation
allegations of cyber interference in western elections by Russia
FPTP reform: why?
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
disadvantages of FPTP reform: example 2011 AV referendum
in a 2011 AV referendum, a large majority 67.9% voted in favour of keeping FPTP
disadvantages of FPTP reform: scotland and wales
welsh and scottish parliaments use AMS, but voter turnouts are incredibly low
compulsory voting: what is it? where is it used?
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%
is compulsory voting a good thing?
- enhances mandate
- forced engagement in politics
- disregards political apathy
- governments reflect older, wealthier people more: because they vote more, compulsory voting would make government more representative
- the voter could still spoil the ballot if nothing appeals to them
why is compulsory voting also a bad thing?
- gives too much power to citizens
- the public should be able to choose whether to vote or not, there would be less incentive for politicans to engage with the public
- activists don’t vote to make a point, but this is defeated
- doesn’t address why people don’t want to vote
- extra votes does not mean informed ones
- may reduce enthusiasm for democracy because it may seem oppressive to some
EXAMPLE: 2019 ipsos MORI turnout by age
47% of 18-24 year olds compared to 74% od 65+ year olds in 2019
direct link between ______ and voter turnout?
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
who cannot vote?
members of the HoL, because they already have their best interests represented.
people who are declared mentally incapaciated.
votes at 16 coalition established in _______ bringing together the ________ _____ __ ________ and the _______ ______ _______ to campaign for __________ ___ ________ ___
2019
national union of students
and the British Youth Council to campaign for lowering the voting age
when did 16 year olds get the vote in scotland
2014 independence referendum - 16 year olds could vote
votes at 16 coalition
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
Jim Mcmahon’s PMB to lower the age, when was it? why did it fail?
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
John Hirst, 2001
claimed he should be able to vote despite being in prison
which pressure groups support prisoner voting
Liberty and the Howard League for Penal Reform
what happened in 2011 with prisoner voting
it received cross party damnation
Scotland rules on prisoner voting
prisoners serving less than 12 months can vote for the Scottish Parliament and in local elections
