Democracy and Participation

Question 1

E+A any 3 movements and reforms that enable the UK to become a democratic state

Answer 1

1. Chartists
   embodied democratic ideas, e.g.
   universal male suffrage
   in many ways the movement
   was a failure and sometimes violently suppressed, but also that eventually five out of the six points were
   adopted
   The indirect impact on the Second Reform Act 1867
2. suffragists.
   do with gender and suffrage, i.e. securing votes for women and their constitutional methods
   the suffragettes had similar aims but attracted more publicity, and also the importance
   of the war.
   In 1918 most women were enfranchised, which might not have been the case but for the suffragist campaign and the strong arguments they put forward.
3. The Second Reform Act. Explain who was enfranchised by this law, mainly working-class men in the cities
   this represented a much more radical
   measure than 1832, but did little for working men in the counties, and nothing for women. The absence of a secret vote or making direct bribery illegal at the same time, although these measures did follow on quite quickly, suggesting some links.

Question 2

E+A 3 features of democracy

Answer 2

1.universal suffrage
the need for all adult citizens to be able to vote, irrespective of class, gender or ethnicity exceptions to this principle, e.g. prisoners, and how this process in the UK took place over nearly a century.

2. representation,
   MPs and local councillors
   elected representatives should represent and reflect the views of their voters, and how this is a hallmark of a representative democracy.
3. free, frequent and fair elections
   examples such as the secret ballot
   and fixed lengths for parliaments repealed now Analysis
   secret voting is so important as it removes scope for intimidation and corruption, and also how regular elections enable changes of
   government and reinforce accountability of MPs and the government.

Question 3

E+A 3 factors that could potentially affect turnout

Answer 3

1. political engagement
   such as interest and participation in politics
   how voters often abstain if they feel alienated or disillusioned with politics and politicians, e.g. after the MPs’ expenses scandal and Brexit
2. Age
   2019 GE 65+ turnout was 71% and 64% for 18-24
   Brexit 65+ was 90% and for 18-24 was 64%
   For
   younger voters might well prefer to participate in politics in other ways, perhaps
   through social media or direct action (e.g. Extinction Rebellion) and may feel that politicians do not reflect their priorities.
   E petitions instead 2019 6 million signatures collected to revoke Article 50 and have UK remain in the EU
   2017 1.8 million signatures to stop Trump 2007 1.8 million signature to stop road pricing making a state visit to the UK
   You could cite the appeal of Corbyn to some younger as a counterpoint.
3. marginality of seats
   East Dunbartonshire and Canterbury
   while the logic is there, all votes matter as the result is not a foregone conclusion
   a key effect of partisan dealignment is more voters becoming less faithful to a single party and are more open to a range meaning parties have to work harder to appeal to a wide base of votes instead of focusing on ensuring their core support turn out to vote
   36/ 61 seats that Johnson visited were marginal
   58/76 for Corbyn