Citizen Participation In Democracy

Question 1

Name 4 opportunities for citizen participation in democracy

Answer 1

-Voting
-Access to elected members like councillors, police and crime commissioners, MPs
-Standing for election
-Using e-democracy formats to set up online petitions on issues which may be discussed by the UK parliament

Question 2

Who can use judicial review, and what for?

Answer 2

Citizens, pressure groups, interest groups

Challenge decisions made by public bodies

Question 3

What’s changing about the process of creating change

Answer 3

Especially younger people, more informal, supporting campaigns online and through the use of social media

Question 4

What are 5 barriers to citizen participation

Answer 4

-lack of interest or apathy
-belief that their participation won’t make a difference
-lack of faith in politicians/political processes
-lack of info or knowledge of the skills needed to participate
-lack of time due to busy lives

Question 5

Give 3 suggestions to increase voter participation

Answer 5

-compulsory voting
-lower voting age to 16
-allow online voting

Question 6

Give an example that shows that if people (especially young people) are motivated about an issue, they will take part.

Also, what is happening to voter turnout of young people in the UK?

Answer 6

Referendum of Scottish independence in 2014
16 & 17 year olds allowed to vote
109,000 in that age group, 84.6% turnout

Risen to 52% in 2010 (47% in 2019)