4. Is The UK Experiencing a Participation Crisis? Flashcards
How has turnout at UK general elections changed in recent decades?
It is low at the moment, with a record high in 1950 with 84% turnout and an all time low of 59.4% In 2001. 2024 is only just better with 59.8% turnout.
Why is turnout important in a representative democracy?
-low turnout threatens the government’s legitimacy
-representative democracy is all about representing the country but if not all the country votes then not everyone is being represented
What is differential turnout?
Differential turnout is the varying levels of turnout across the country
What is Partisan Dealignment
Partisan dealignment – where voters no longer strongly identify with a party, and their support changes between parties from election to election.
What is meant by ‘apathy’
Apathy – people are uninterested in politics and aren’t inspired to participate
What is meant by ‘hapathy’?
Hapathy – people are removed from politics, not because they don’t care but because they have stable and happy lives
What is e-democracy, and what examples of it can be found in the UK?
New opportunities to participate made possible by the internet
-E-petitions
-38 degrees (an online community learning space
-Social media
What does the 2019 Audit of Political Engagement suggest about the health of representative democracy in the UK?
Representative health is not good, as the people do not feel represented by the politicians they elect.
