3- Democracy And Participation Flashcards
Example of epetition
Over half million signed one demanding a ban on all ISIS members from returning o the uk- debate i commons march 2019
Example of open primary used
Sarah wollaston- became conservative canditate for tones
Participation in pressure groups
Estimated 40-50% uk population member of atleast 1
Votes at 16
Campaign to lower the voting age
Use online campaigns
Have had two private member bills attempted in 2017 and 2018
But both failed
Pros for 16 year olds voting
Can be well educated in schools
Citizenship lessons, uk youth parliament 11-18 y/o- engage in politics
-given the chance to vote in 2014 scottish independance
75% turnout in that afe grou
2015 onwards can vote in scottish local aned parliamentary elevtions
-habits developed at younger ages- would continue to be responsible citizens
-16 y/o have responsibilities and freedoms
Can joined the armed services have sex, - are mature enough
Cons for 16 y/o voting
-limited life experience on which to base their voting decisions- more likely to vote based on peer pressure and parenntal influence
-turnout v. Low 18-24- add to the overall problem of voter apathy
Can vote in the issle of man- 55% 2006, 46% 2016- overall decreased
-very few countries have voting age at 16- uk in mainstream
-more likely to consume fake news/social media- less well informed than older voters
Prisoners voting
-in uk cannot vote
Groups such as the howard league for penal reform support votes for prisoners
Prisoners voting- for
Hhuman right- echr 2005 rules against european humans right convention
Sweeping ban not fair on those with shorter sentences
-may be a good opportunity in to learn and fulfill civil duties
They are also affected by gov decisions— would return to society
Prisoners voting against
Broken the law- civil responsibiliities- broken law they are voting for
-other civil liberties removed- freedom
-not in society- dont know what voting for
Small part of population= 0.001%- too mmuch hassle and difficulties for small no people
Voter id laws
Conservatives want greater voter id laws- photo id needed
For voter id
Prevent voter frauf
Nothing discriminatory- anyone can apply and register- free compared to driving lisence
Against voter id
Additional barrier to voting
Discriminatory- 3.5 mill w/out acceptable photo id-likely to be from disadvantaged backgrounds- drivers licence or passport
Voter fraud only 28 cases
Over 8 mil expected to be off voter register
For voting compulsory
-voting is not just a right- it is a civil duty and responsibility- compiulsory voting reinforced this- could have improved education rate- people have to vote so feel respobsibility to inform themselves
-low turnout and voter apathy- undermine legitimacy of election results
-lowest turnout found amoung young, poor and ethnic minority- danger politicians feel less representative of these groups
Should responsibile and represent all groups in socity
Compulsory voting does not reomve right to rejevct all- have ‘none of the above’ option
Voting not compulsory
Forcing people to vote is a infringement of civil liberties
Responsivility of politicians should be to encourage to vote
Could lead to people making random. Ill informed choiuces- undermining the legitimacy of election results
Politicians should offer exciting radica suggestions and policies to encourage all sectors of society to vote
2017- 64% 18-24 voted -highest since 1992
Environmental issues and tuition fees high on agenda
Not voting may be a well informed deciision rather than of apathy
Introducing a fine for not voting may discriminate against those who work and have children- dont have time or opportunity
Evaluate the view that access to voting in the uk is too limited
Voter if
Prisoners voting
Lower voting age to 16
For- liberal
Against- conservative
Representative democracy
A form of democracy in which voters elect reps to take decicions on their behalf
Adv representative democracy
Deciisons made by professional, well inffofrmed politicians- more likely to understand complexity of issues- less emotional
Before bill becomes act- scrutiny and debate
Compromise- elected candidate represents interests of everyone- firect democracy-tyranny of the majority
Can hold reps to account and renew mandate- but vcant with direct democrac
Cons representative democracy/our current system
Hoc unrepresentative- fptp 2 party system- vhallenges health of rep democravy in uk
Hol unelected
Legitimacy of gov- lower voting %
Parliament not a true microcosm- less diverse
2019- 34% female
27% privately educated- 7% pop. \
Fewer 10% non white ethnic minority
-‘westminster bubble’- disconnect from ordinary voters
‘38 degrrees’ parliament should be movedo ut oof london- too remote from people claim to represent
Disproportionately influence of london based instituttions- pressure groups lobbying groups and media
Low levels of participation concern for free ad fair elevtion
Referendums
Most important example of direct democracy
Yes or no- single issue
Forms of direct democracy
Referendums
Epetitions
Recalls
Election of party leaders
Open primaries
Public consultations
E-petitions
100,000 signaitures- debated in parliament- considered debate hoc
Great way to make parliamnet more reponsive to public opinion
Cons- can. Be ignored
Limit no characters- limit explanation - cant talk in debate
Diff to ahieve no. needed but also small % population
Not be most importanc issue
Recalls
Recall of mps act 2015 gave constituents power to force by-election in case of serious wrongdoings v
10% pop of constituent need to sign
Pros recalls
Hold mps to account
Effective betweenn elections
No evidence personal vendetta
Cons recalls
Person being recalled can stand in by-election
Ihgh threshold
Not that long to next election
Personal vendetta
Election of party leaders
Main uk parties give a direct say to memvers when choosing party leader
Party leaders directly accountavble to their members
Criticism- too much influence for small group people
80-90,000 rishi v truss
Open primaries
Small no constuencies use open primaries to select parliamentary candidates- publiv rather than party members
Not cought on- used 1 in 2019
Public consults
Used to assess the views of the public on major decisions- hs2- people affected
Can be ignored
To be effective need a good cross section of public
Participation
engagement of the public in the political process
Formal participation
Electing mps
Voting in referendums
Membership of political parties
Attending public meetings
‘Top-down’
Informal participation
‘Bottom up’ grassroots activitu
Online actibiyt- signing/making e-petition
Purchasing/buying products for political reasons
Discussing politics with friends and damily
How is formal participation decliining
Turnourt 77.7% in 1992 to 67% 2019
Party membership 2.9mill in 1951 to 150,000 2015
Why formal participation is declining
-mistrucst of politicians and political institytions- eg. Scandals- partygate or 2009 expenses scandal
Resulting in negative mmedia rep of party
Changes in political cutlure anfd ideas
Internet has increassed its influence
Increase support single issue pressure group
But decrease support political party and trade union
Buycotts
Citizens using purchasing power to actively sipport certian products/services- fairtrade
Clictivism
More intuitive, low intensity participation- ‘liking’
Share political content-networking
Hacktivism
Hacking companies/gov, other establishments to take contro of their website, block or crash servers- for politival reasons
Online terrorism
Anonymous
Other forms n=informal participation
Protests/rallying
Join pressure gorup
Donation to political party
Strikes
Majoritarian democracy
Gov based on majority support of those who won in that constituency
Minority may be excluded
Consultative/participation democracy
Rep elements0 incorperate demands of direct democracy
Referendums, public consultatioins
Internet and social media- improved the health of democracy
-excellent opportunity for those to engage in poitis- 2016 brexit social media campaign
-esp. good for young people may not necessarily feel as committed to more traditional forms of political participation- labour 2017- encouraged more young people to vote
-benefits pluralism by incressing information and opinions open to people- smaller groups- easier to listen to thoughts
-e-petitions promote engagement and debate between elections
-online pressure groups- 38 degrees
Change.org- removing vat on tampons
-blogs may give more detailed, thoughtful information than more ‘instant’ forms of social media- eg. ‘Conservative home’
Internet and social media is bad for democracy
-social media not balanced- no guarentee that info provided is accurate- echochamber effect
-e-petitions, like referendums, reduce q to ‘uyes or no’
-increasingly common for messages to be antidemocratic
Misleading, hateful
-false impressions of how popular a view is- may be ‘trending’ but minority believe
-diff to distinguish betweem fact and opinion on bligs
Example of members of political party had power
1952- 2.8 mill members of conservatives
Pushed party to go further on house building
How did labour party increase in membership
2015 leadership contest
Claim to embody ‘mass movement’ of over half mill in mar 2017
Many claim snap election of 2017 did it
Snnp membership
120,000 members/5 miill pop
After independance referendum
Membership of partys demographic
2017- sussez uni
51% uni graduate
80% abc1
61% male
Importance of party memebrship
Choose local constituency candidate
Safe seats- means chooses mp
Mps make up selectorate that chooses party leader- pm
demographic of councillors
Local gov associations census of local authority counillors in 2013- 67.3% male (down from 70.1% in 2001
96% white ethnic origin- down form 97% in 2001
Av age councillor 60,2%
46.6% retired , only 19.2% full time work
Part time job in normal working hours
‘Councillores often called pale, stale and male’
Lobbying importance
important part of how legislation is scrutinised and ‘aslo a potential predator’
‘Often the first ones to alert mps when a government bill contains a nasty policy’
National trust lobbyig- 4.2 mill paird up members
Eg. Warned national planning policu framework proposed by minister supposed to lead to a rise in house building will mean that ‘local voices will not
Limiteations for pg
Transparency of lobbyuiung, non party ccampaigning and trade union adminsitration act 2014
Inc clause limit amount charities could spend on campaigns in lead up to general election
Pointless epetitions
Stop trump from visiting uk (when candidate) even though trump said nothing about visiting
Main problems with uk democratic system
Decline in trust in poliiticians and political process
Low turnout- reduce legitimacy of mandates
Decrease membership of political parties
High levels apathy and disengagemnt- reforms required to change this from a democratic deficit or participation crisis
Optimistic view on uk democracy
Low levels of engagemnet suggest people are content- hapathy
Some general eleections do imporve high turnout and referendums- brexit
Informal and new ways to participate- epetitions
Although party membership fallen.
Recently lab party seen sugre- as well as in pg
Reforms suggested to increase participation
Replace fptp to pr for westminster elections
Increase and enhance use of e-petition
Expansion digital democracy
Furtherdevolution
Lords reform
Enhance power of recall
Replace fptp to pr for westminster elections- how imporve
More rep
Eliminate safe seats and wasted votes- more incentive to vote
Increase and enhance use of epetitions
Greater say in what is debated in parliament- if automaticly in parliamentary vote/debate- more accountable
Expansion of digital democracy
Encourage further political discussion
More with modern time
Online votng- but could lead to hacking
Further devolution
Bring greater decision makng to the people
Greater divide n and south
Could increase voter fatigue
Turnout in local parlaiment low
Lords reform
Unelected chamber to make more rep- make more accountable
Could cuase greater dvisions
Could just be reformed to no hereeditaryy
Enhancing power of recall
Broadening so more reasons why- greater accountable
Etv that uk contnues to suffer from participation crisis
Low leve;s turnout and decrease party membership
Alternative informal participation increase
Non-online informal participation increease- strikes, protests
Sectional (or interest)) groups
Membership restricted to a particular section of society
Protect the interests of that particular group- membership restricted to them- pay sic pay, redundancy
Eg. National union of teachers (nu)
Cause or promotional groups
Membership open, mass support
Aims often alturistic, benefit society as a whole
Greenpeeace, friends of the earth, insulate
Social movements
Similar to cause group but more loose structure
Spontanous and casual
Usually radical snguar objective
Just stop oil or blm
Relationship wit h gov- pg
Insider or outsider grouups
Insider gorup
Close special relations with gov
Aims usually compatble with those of gov
Depend on party in power- conservatives- cbi
Bma not going to ignore
Outsider group
No close association with the gov
Excluded from consultation
Focus on mobilisng public opinion to put pressure on gov
Extinction rebellion
Access points
Places where pgs attempt to exert influence
Decision makers- gob, parliament, courts, devolved body, politcial party- insider
Outdser- epetition, media and public opinion
Think tanks
Group of experts set up in order to generate ideas
Con- adam smith insttute
Labour fabian society
Lobby insider
Pg meet with politicians and civil servants to argue their case and persuade them to adopt their ideas/policies
Face to dace
Bma, cbi, professional companies (google))
Lobby as an outsider
Pg meet ith parlament, mps act
More challenging
Environmental grups, green[eace more respectable than extinction rebellion
Research and publsh reports
Can hghlight pg cause and inform politcians and public
Eg. Thinktank- institute for gov
Give evidence at hearings
Eg. Select comm or public consulatiions
Best if insder
Publicity campaigns
May aim to encourage the public to put pressur on gov’
Just stop oil and outsiders
Example of corrupt election
2014 mayoral election in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, ended up being voided on the grounds of corrupt and illegal practices.
Pluralist democracy
Political power is distributed
Diff groups and organisations can compete to gain influence
Alliances pg tactic
With other pg behind shared cause
Tu strike same day
Votes at 166, youuth council and national union of students
Factors affecting success pg
RIPE
Resources- friends of isreael
Ideology- compatibility with gov
Populaity
Expertise- bma insuder
Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy
Loa0- agree
Participation
Representation
Accountabilityy
Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy-participation- agree
Increase info either side debate
Eg abortion- british pregancy advisory scheme- pro choice v right to life uk- health discussion due to expert info available
Pg alternative participation
Turnout not exceeded 19650 83.9%
Party membership fall- con 2.9mill 1951, to 180k 20019
7000+ pg in uk
Participation- aganist - Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy
Civil disobedience- violence, break law
Threaten others with methots- against free movement right
Not consttructive-no discussion- alienated furtehr
Representation- agree- Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy
Fptp- tyrnanny of the majoirty0- party appeal to masses
Apply pressure to support minority- aug 2021- protests outside downing street, 100s non-binary, trans and allies- failure of healthcare- push full recognition of gender recognition act- 1% pop non binary
Equalities act 2010 introduced- provided freedom from discrimination on basis of race, ggender, age, disabiliity- pg support
Representation- against- Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy
Disproportionatley support certain groups
Welathy- oil companies- shell
Revolving door of former politicians
Greensill scandal- cameron speak to sunack chancellor for gov backed loan under covid corperation financed facilitiy
Insider status more= never going to have exitinction rebellion over bma
accountability- agree- Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy
Gain public support- blm 20200- support on issues previouusly ignored
Esp case near general electioin- improve position on polcu
2020 boris promise ban conversionn therapy- process aiming to convert persons sexual or gener orientation- but stopped discussion- demand from think tanks- lgbt societies
Think tank direct scrutiny gov
On behalf of minorities
Accountability0 against - Etv pg, lobbyists and think tanks do more to help than hinder democracy
May lack leadership or sturcture- who to blame- not accountable themselves (but dont need to be as hold less pwoer))
Unlikely to be sucessfulul if not compatible with gov- lack legitimacy, no accountabilitity held
Etv the view that the tactics pg use are the most important reason for success
Tactics
Popularity
Status /power
Loa- no more important is status and power
Etv that tactics pg use most impotant reason for sucess - agree- tactics
Stunct much support
Lobbyists
Protests ect
May gain money from these popularity
Etv that tactics pg use most impotant reason for sucess - no- tactics
Lobby depend on money
Still depends on public support or gov stance- just stop oil no negotaitions
Etv that tactics pg use most impotant reason for sucess - popularity- yes
Increase popularity, increase power exerted, reflect mass audience
If suupport more money and power given
Etv that tactics pg use most impotant reason for sucess - popularity -no
If insider doesnt matterr how popular0- bma alwas
Etv that tactics pg use most impotant reason for sucess - status/power- yes
Insideer vs outsider status
Revolving door- greater connections if can afford
Etv that tactics pg use most impotant reason for sucess - status/power- no
Outsider still power eg surfers against sewage
Rely if gov support or not
Relu oon money stil
Etv pg have little impact on gov decisions- compatbility- yes
Outsider
Can ignore
Gov mandate to carry out policies in manifesto- no obligation to views of unelected, unaccountable grpu[s= [h
2023- tu- organised to have strongest impact or increased pressure- but gov not willing to discuss or compromise as far
Think tank such as fabien society less likely to be listened to by con
Etv pg have little impact on gov decisions- compatibility0 yes
Insider groups
Esp if high level expertise- bma
Cbi rep businesses
Con thinktank- taxpayer alliance, adam smith foundation
Resources- yes- Etv pg have little impact on gov decisions
If lack- money memebrship, organisation, infrasturcture- competition for many groups- pluralism for gov attention
Social meovement- just stop oil- little impact
Resources- no Etv pg have little impact on gov decisions
Certain well resources, effectively organised and collective gorups will have more impact
Lobbyists- companies- google (clegg head of coomms) apple- online HARMS bill
Popularity- Etv pg have little impact on gov decisions- yes
Will ignore if unpopular
Insulate britian, xtinction rebellion- 0civil disobedience0-0 glue to roads
Populairty0 agaisnt- Etv pg have little impact on gov decisions
Esp if near election time- more poopular chosen
Chhange.org petitions with lots of sognaitures
Hillsborough judtsic campaign- deaths at football- newspaper campaign- pushed for info-inquest
Bma
Tu for doctors and student doctors
Prtest and striking- currently for 26% or 35% ibcrease pay for junior doctors
Insider group- influence in gov
Success with period poeverty which would let hospitalis sanitary provisiosn in hospitals
Just stop oil- pg case studes
Coalition of groups whic work together to ensure gov commits to all new licenecning, consent for exloration, development and producton of fossil fuels in the uk
Pr stunts and protests
Glue themselves to road iin whitehall
Vandalise van gogue sunflower w tomato soup
Cabel tie themselves to premier league goal post in goodson park
Minimal success and arguably cuased increase police pressure and locking on bill
Hra 1998
Bought echr into british law
Clear statement of uk civil liberties- enforece case in courts
Judges power to issue declarations of iincompatibility of legislative conflicts with echr
Why hra introduced
Imporve portection of civil liberties
Make british citizens mroe awware of their civil liberties
Save citizens time and money to travel to strasbourg for echr
Part of blairs overall package of constitutional reforms - promised in 1997 manifesto
Civil liberties
Rights and freedoms to which citizens are entitled
Distinguuish between legal rights (eg right to vote), moral natural righst (right to life))0
Freedom of assembly and association- tu
Freedom from discrimination- race gender
When should rights be restricted
When threat to national security- right to life- 9/11
2001 anti terroism crime and secuirty act- imprison foreign terrorist supsects indefinitely without trial
2015 organised crime and opolice act- limit rights of people to protest outside palriament
2020- 21 covid pandemiic- gov introdouced laws to restrict peoples freedom of moveemnt
Recent 2022- police, crime and sentencing courts act0- ban locking on, police crtain proetsst, pressure gov0- big brother watch - restirct right to protest
When can rights conflict
Between individual and collective rights
Collective rights
Particular gorup share certain characteristics
Workers rights
Lee v ashers bakery- court ruled in favour of religious freedom couple owned bakery
Freedom of info act 2000
Establish a right to know
Public right to access info held by public bodies as long as it does not threaten national security
Made gov nore open and transparent- 2009 mps expenses scandal- foi
Equalities act 2010
Equality for all before the law
Discrimination illegal on grounds of age, disability, gender, race
Howard league for penal reform
Prsion reform
Worked on supporting prisoners voting- eesp since declaration of incompatibility in 2005
Books for prisoners- campaign set up in 2014 to overturn restrictions on sending books to people in prisons- sucessful in dec 2014 high court judge ruled ‘there was no good reason’ to restrict access to books for prisoners
Programme to decrease child arrests
On issue of securing a reudction in the size of the prison population- less successful
Review in may 2016- ‘tehere is no public service in such disarray as the prisons’
More successful on smaller matters
Liberty
Defend freedom to ensrue all treated fairly
Win pension equality for same sex couples in court
Recent cases- cpn appeal on beggng ban- legal support after women given a community protection order that forbae her from begging
Parliament may consult them to ensure rights met
Example of unsucessful pg with gov decision
Electoral reform society
Voter id laws
Example of company pg and gov decisions
Online harms bill
Tech companies- google, meta
Eg lawyers ect on select comm
Claim expertise
Diff popularity pg
Insulate britain and just stop oil VS surfers against sewage
More peaceful tactics used hence less neative press
Example groups striking
Royal college of nursing
Demanding 10% pay increase- at least
Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected
Loa- yes
Judges
Parliament
Pg
Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected- judges- yes
Limit to power of uk judges- esp if compare uk to ysa- gov canot strike decisions/acts of parliament
Hra not entrenches- no bill of rights
Hra inc political and civic rights but not all economic, social and cultural rights
Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected- judges- no
Uk judges much more power to protect citixens rights through declarations of incomparibilty
So for gov acted upon every doi
Judicial review increased significantly- constitutional reform cra and independant supreme court
Symbolic judgements- lee bvs asher- cements that religion overruls gay rights
Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected- parliament- yes
Good majority override opp of rebels
Eg. 2022- polic, crime sentencing and courts act- restricts right to portest
2023- locking on bbill
Voter id laws restrict right to vote
Whips- party over people
Often minority repressed
Emergency powers- eg. Right to freedom with covid pandemic
Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected- parliament- no
Parliament strong reocrd of balanced decisiosns
Createion stronger rights culture
Pasisng of hra- echr into u law- citizens gretaer awareness
Eg article 8 right to privacy
10 freedom of expression
Foi 2000
Equalities act 2010
Accountability and ge representations ensrured
Pg- Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected- yes
Pg can be igrnoed if not ideologicaly compatible with gov
Not obliged to respond to pg campaign- eg, liberty friends of the earth
2022 act limiting right to peaceful protest
Pg raise awareness of issue but dont mean gov respond to their demands
Etv that rights in teh uk are not adequately protected- no- pg
Act as useeful gaurdians of citizens rights- liberty, howard league, bigb rother watch, amnesty international
May give legal adbvice and expertise
Insider groups v powerful eg. Bma
Example of popular conflictinng with parliamentary soveriegnty
2016 eu ref
52% leave
26% mps leave
Groups overrep in paerliamemt
Lgbtq 7% 2019 parlaiemnt comp 2.7% estimated
Privately educated 29 comp 7
Sucess of petitioner
2020 rashford endchildfood poverty gained over 1.1 mill signaitures= persuade gov to commit to free school meals for llow income families over school holidays
Consultative examples
Hs2 and heathrow airport
Use of open primaries
2015 13 con candidates selected this way
Only one 2019
Distort house of lords
Johnson appt 86 new ones 42 were con inc major donar to con patry cruddas
Tactics of votes at 16
Seks endorsement of politicians lists names on website
Pmb mahons
Who says 16 year old arent adults
Un cnvention on righst of the child
Vote on prisoner voting
234 v 22 in favour of
Insider pressure gorup
Howard league for [enal refpmr impartial to homeo ffice on important info concernig prison reform, policing and youth crime
Celebrity leadership for pressur egorup/cause
Marcus rashford with free school meals in holidays
Stephen fry for mind mental health capmign
Influence of cbi
Rep 190,000 businesses employing nearly 7 million people
Examples of pg better under con
Taxpayers alince cbi
Unsucessful pg
Stop hs2
Lack sucess due to cross party support mps 399v 42 and hol 386 t 26
2020 e petition vote repeal legistlation 155,000 signaitures- yet strong palriamentary support ignored
Stop the war coalition
1 mill march london 2001
Yet blair majority
Sucess blm
Wlsh schools 2022 mandatory teach history of black asian and minority ethnic peole
Renaming colston hall school to bristol beacon
Revolving door example
Clegg in 2022 to meta
Lobbysist sucess for improving debate
Put forward interests of gin drinkers
2008 repealed gin act and now boutique gin becoming one of the uks most enterprising new exports
High profile critic of rwanda
Archbishop of canterbury welby- subbcontracting our reso[nsonilities
Name for lcoking on bill
Police, crime sentencing and courts act 2022, designed to limit impact of public protests and has thus generated significant opposition from civil iberties groups
Liberty cout case
2020 supported ed bridges case agianst sw police breached article 8 hra stored biometric date secured by automatic faciail recognition surveillence
And thus sw police required greater care in implemntation of autoatic faicial recognition
Amnesty international
Helped to increase presusre on mps with nazanin zaghari-ratcliffee held in iran to get her released
Influence from lobbying
Con
10% donors from housing related organisations hence hesitence on housig reform, no fault eevictions
And many mps are landlords- 1/3 voting on no fault evictions according to new statesman
