democracy and participation Flashcards
what does direct democracy look like
referendums
citizens juries
public petitions
Burkean representation trustee model
mps act according to what they think is best for the area they represent
based off their knowledge and understanding
Burkean representation delegate model
mps will act according to what the majority of their constituents want
evidence for direct democracy being superior because people will accept decisions they have made themselves
Devolved institutions via referendums
Scot devo turnout 60% 72% yes
NI assembly turnout 81% 71%yes
Increase in turnout
evidence for rep democracy ensuring stability and compromise
Apathy can be helpful to maintain stability
Citizens who are involved become passionate which can create divisions and polarisation
Example scot indep referendum 2014 and still calls for independence
84% turnout and brexit 72% and anti brexiteers still protest (2023 outside westminister)
evidence for direct democracy creating informed electorate
scot indep 2014 16/17 year olds allowed to vote 75% turnout
97% said being involved encouraged them to be more engaged
evidence for rep democ placing decision in hands of experts
2019 ge 85% mps uni and 25% oxbridge
38% of electorate uni educated
although none of starmers cabinate were privately educated
Evidence for direct democracy reducing dependence on politicians ( not being representative therefore people will depend on them for help)
politicians not representative
2019 220 women 10% minorities
2024 263 women 14% minorities
Evidence for voter apathy and rep democ being unrealistic (turnout)
TO not reached average of 75% since 1950s
TO average 67%
60% 2024 which is low
What is redress of grievances and when will it happen
Mps will represent their constituents individual issues who have been treated unfairly
they can do this during question time and act on behalf on them
what is descriptive representation and what would it increase
MP should look like the people it represents
increase participation
and diversity in parl may allow leg to begger reflect minority groups
Rosena Allin khan
labour mp and shadow health minister 2020, was practicing doctor
part of trade union and wanted to represent them in parliament to champion their issues
what is hapathy when was it at its peak
content with system already
therefore not inclined to vote
2001 59% TO
evidence for participation crisis in comparison to 1950s
increase from 2001 59-%
but still lower in comparison to pre 1992 which was around 75%
devolved elections even lower
2022 NI assem 62%
Increase in participation through turnout in general electiosn
since 2001 increase
2017 69%
little decrease in 2019 to 67%
although TO for young people increasing 2005 50% 2019 55%
Turnout of people with a degree
2019 69%
without degree 59%
more opportunities for people to vote
elect mp
local councillors
devolved regions assembly and parliament elections
england metro mayors
metro mayor turnout
lower than general elections
metro mayors typically 30% 2021
Greater manchester 35%
devolved institution with low TO
Welsh parliament 47% 2021
Increase of referendums
boost participation on constitutional issues that are salient
1998 good friday 81% TO
scot indep 2014 84%
brexit 72%
turnout in 2021 scot parl was higher,why was this
63%
because of the 2016 scotland act which gave scot max devolution
Majority of referendums with low turnout
welsh devo 1997 50% TO - tyranny of maj
London mayor and assembly 1998 33%
2011 AV vote TO 42%
Party membership decline
1950s con 2 mil
2022 decline to 172k
across all parties membership totalled over 3 mil in 1950s
less than 1 mil in 2019
FLOATING VOTERS
2013 resurgence in party membership
smaller party increase
snp 25k to 125k in 2019
And major parties increase lab 190k to just under 500k
Trade union membership decline and why
1970s around 13 million
2022 6.4 million in 2023
decline in manual jobs and transaction to service based economy
weakening of trade union power in thatcher and blair gov
Rise of new groups that can be participated in
single issue groups
2013 1 in 10 adults are members of
in 2020 140k took party in black lives matter protests in the uk
trade union increase
activity increase in 2022
strikes on cost of living
2.5 mil strike days across sectors in 2022
what is slacktivism and evidence
people are less engaged in politics
this has replaced traditional activism
people are more likely to sign e petitions then write to their local mp or take part in protests
33,000 were submitted to HOC website in 2022
Different types of participation have risen and are effective (3)
Political consumerism - purchasing power to dictate politics, using green sustainable products
Petitions/ epetitions - easier
Clicktivism - social media used to promote causes, encouraging reps to take up causes or putting pressure on gov
what is a democratic deficit
decisions are taken by elected representatives who lack legitimacy due to being appointed without sufficient support or not being subject to accountability
house of lords act 1999
lab first stage at removal
remove hereditary peers allowed to remain on temporary basis untill second stage proposals were agreed
revoke A50 and remain in EU petition
MOST SIGNED EVER
6.1 mil
Lack of impact
denying trump state visit petition
1.8 mil
lack of impact
Marcus rashford end child food poverty
1 million signatures
impact, 2021 gov announced comprehensive support package to help families through winter
expanded access’s to free school meals during holidays
Seek a ceasefire and end israeli occupation of west bank/gaza strip petition
250k signatures
lack of impact, gov replied and said they are focusing on conflict resolution, humanitarian pauses
Call a GE 2024
Dec 2024
Belief that labour went back on their promises
debated Jan 6th 2025
lack of impact gov replied that they were elected on a mandate
Include right to abortion in BBoR
Nov 22 167k signatures
lack of impact gov said they would review
Legislation has been put on pause since departure of Raab from justice Dept
Recall of Mps act 2015
petition triggered if they are convicted of an offence
barred from HOC
or convicted or providing false info for expenses claims
Need 10% of constituency to sign to be triggered
2019 Onasanya Lab by election
conviction driving offences
seat was held by another lab
2019 chris davies con
convicted of false expenses claims and the seat was lost to lib dem’s
2023 Ferrier SNP
convicted of breaking covid rules
seat won by lab
2023 peter bone con
allegations of bulling and sexual misconduct
lost to Lab
how are by-elections positive for democracy
people are willing to trigger election
shows participation, want to get involved
also seats changing hands shows people will vote for other parities- good for representation
e democracy impact
allows electorate to set the agenda, bring issues to light
increase use of petitions since 2015, electorate are more willing to participate
why will referendums not improve democracy
gov only call referendums when they think they will win
Brexit 2016 leave was in lead 2-4% May was a remainer
Gov also have power to ignore outcome
direct democracy through referendums enhance democ 3 examples
public agree consitution decisions should be decided by electorate
Brexit
NI good friday
scot under
reform of recall of mps improve democ
criteria for petition should be widened as it’s too narrow,
constituents can hold mp to account if they don’t deliver election promises
more people will get involved and mps will be held accountable
reform of Recall of mps act negative on democ
remove mps ability to act in the national interest for fear of backlash from constituents
undemocratic as petition enhances accountablity
increase in 2019
How could electoral registration reform improve democ
Boost turnout ensuring everyone is able to vote
clear differences in registration amount ethnicities, age and groups + income brackets
2018 ethnic minority voters were 10% less likely to be registered compared to whites
Reform of electoral registration negative
too expensive, not effective way of spending
Could lead to voter fraud
some concerns highlighted in elections act 2022 where ID was introduced to avoid fraud
positive of lowering voting age
increase youth turnout
75% of 16/17 year olds participated in scottish independence 2014
97% said that it made them want to be more involved, vote participate again in future
negative of lowering the voting age
16-18 low interest won’t increase TO
Lack of political education
2014 40% of 16-24 said they were not interested in politics
Compulsory voting positive impact
boost turnout and improve legitimacy
average of GE is 65%
2024 60% very low
historic average 75%
allow “ none of the above” option to decrease spoilt ballots
negative impact of compulsory voting
it should be a choice / freedom
not voting can be seen as a political act
will increase spoilt ballots
Australia compulsory vote - spoilt ballots make up 5% of total ballots
fptp creates …. that leads to constituency inequality
leads to wasted votes and marginal seats that are targeted by parties/policies more than others creating inequality
Lords reform to elected evidence on delaying bills
2004 attempt to delay govs proposal to ban fox hunting
not in line with public option
Why should the lords not be elected + example
elected lords would undermine the commons
Lords preforms important function of checking the govs power
lords amended the Illegal migration bill 2023 which required the sec or state to provide additional safe and legal routes for asylum
themes for extending the franchise
Votes at 16
votes for prisoners
compulsory voting
arguments for giving 16yr olds the vote
can join army have provisional lisence legally work and pay tax
scot indep 2014 evidence
young people feel passionate about climate change - want to be engaged
youth parliament has 600 members
arguments against giving 16yr olds the vote
still in education, lack of political education
have views formed, live at home
lack stake in society, most don’t have jobs
will still have low TO as most won’t vote, just increase franchise to keep turnout the same
Hurst V UK 2005
ECHR case where court ruled that a blanket ban on british prisoners to vote is contrary to ECHR as it did not state voting rights for all prisoners
Why should prisoners be given the right to vote
Human right, equality is being damaged
reintegration of prisoners back into society, decrease offending rates, good for social inclusion
Issues prisoners face can be taken seriously by gov
increase turnout and legitimacy
why shouldn’t prisoners be given the vote
lack of education, atleast before expansion
prisoners broke laws therefore should loose freedoms
increase tax
no popular demand, 62% 2012 said no
arguments for compulsory voting (4)
increase participation, spoilt ballots express apathy ( australia 90% TO)
increase legitimacy, more parties with majority of votes instead of seats (Con2019)
Civic duty- value society and create community ( new lab was more centric )
stronger social justice, minorities represented
Arguments against compulsory voting
(4)
abuse for freedoms
people could still not vote (apathy) decrease turnout , need education reform
Worthless votes - not based on consideration of manifestos
could bring extremist views to surface, disengaged votes may vote against main parties as a protest vote
wealth does determine the extent of PG success
Most powerful groups do have wealth
have money to donate ( Unite 10mil to lab 2019)
can hire lobbyists
benefit from media exposure, CBI(lobby group) often consulted by media on matters of business (economy)
how does wealth of PG not determine success
2019 Johnson announced to CBI he was not going to cut corporation tax by 2%, 17-19 later increased to 25%
Tech and social media can help non wealthy groups to have impact by gathering attention
Size of PG determining success
large claim to Rep public option, gov will listen because they cause accountable to electorate
NSPCC ensure membership is high to maintain influence
Large size can organise easily and have impact - trade union strikes (2022)
Size does not determine success PG
size doesn’t matter, need insider status
Con 2022 lack of trade union negotiations
Howard Penal league small insider consulted regularly on gov plans to build more prisons
small unions that rep populated groups (doctors teachers) have influence as they claim to represent ALL
Organisation and leadership determining success of PG
Revolving door politics (clegg facebook head of global affairs
although well organised groups (BMA) junior doctor strikes unsuccessful
2013 manifesto pledge to offer 7 day NHS service
How does being inline with Gov ideology help PG succeed
ideology of PG leading to failure
1990 Pol tax Thatcher reaction from anti poll tax movement and wide spread public demonstrations against tax some which were violent
led to resignation
Popular support of PG positive
gov not supporting popular groups could impact them in elections
2020 free school meals boosted by rashford forcing johnson to extend the use of vouchers to cover summer holidays
Popular support of PG failure
BMA popular, lost 2014 junior contact battle
lobbying groups don’t rely on public support instead use revolving door politics and connections to exert influence
BMA
insider interest doctors lobby for improvements to health and healthcare
SAS campaigns, opened formal ballot on industrial action
end current pay dispute for consultant work force, improved pay sept 2024
action on smoking and health
end harm caused by tobacco
provides resources and evidence
gov pledged to achieve smoke free england by 2030
Law banning smoking in a car with children
Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-25
Bma less associated with current gov why
2024 jan sunak blamed nhs waiting lists on the doctor strikes
extinction rebellion
outsider cause environmental
non violent civil disobedience and disruptive demonstrations sit in protests and strikes
push back on petrol diesel cars
just stop oil
outsider cause stop approving new fossil fuel projects
non violent civil disobedience
blocked m25 sit down protest nov 22
unpopular in parliament
threw soup at van gogh painting in national gallery london
CBI
Insider interest
speak for businesses ensure growth
economic analysis
national education union
largest, insider interest
improving working conditions
teacher strikes in 2022 and 2023
RMT
outsider interest
train strikes
81% of those who intended to travel during their studies had been travel impacted
gov revised pay offers that have been accepted
lobbying example emma reynolds
revolving door
worked as a managing director for a lobbying firm for banks and financial services
as an mp she has lobbied the gov on an exemption of china of the rules of registration and foreign influence
and wanted the financial regulator to water down its enforcement approach against firms under investigation for wrongdoing
