Democratic Participation/Enhancing it

Question 1

What are the Weaknesses of Democratic Participation?

Answer 1

• Electoral turnout historically been 70-75%. 59.7% in 2024
• Turnout usually below 50% for regional/local elections. Some referendums have also suffered from low voter turnout. particularly low amongst young people (18-24).
• Small proportion of electorate actively engaged in politics. Minority are completely inactive; homeless, prisoners, mentally-ill.
• Party membership decline: 4m in 1950s, less than 600,000 in the early 21st Century, though rising recently. People now attracted to pressure groups/protests.
• Decline in importance of politicians; rise of big business, free markets etc. reduced power of politicians. Political info is more available (internet, TV, newspapers). Politicians poor image scandals, incompetence, sleaze, funding problems etc.
• Top politicians – large ego, arrogant, not easily insulted. MPs are white, male, university-educated, middle-class professionals, good public speakers. Only 40% are women
• Problems - not enough women, young and working-class people are being recruited.
• Alleged lack of political knowledge amongst voters. Result of many policy issues complex/technical.

Question 2

What are the strengths of Democratic Participation?

Answer 2

• Free and fair elections; They may vote, actively campaign for an individual or party, or stand as a candidate. Support for the Welsh and Scottish Nationalists, Reform, and Greens has risen.
• Active Participation -big increase in the number of active Pressure Groups. Large numbers joining pressure groups. Very large demonstrations against Brexit, climate change. Use of e-petitions is popular. Recent high levels of strikes.
• Party Membership - Competition for party nominations is intense; very difficult to secure a party nomination. Greater number of political parties compete in elections. Increased membership for Labour under Corbyn (largest party in Europe), the Liberal Democrats, Welsh and Scottish Nationalists, UKIP (for a few years) and Greens has risen.
• Politicians - number of women MPs been rising – over 40% now. Ethnic minority is rising – now14%. MPs often from their constituency, so more in touch
• Political Knowledge - Greater interest in environmental and identity politics. Higher levels of education, Political information more widely available, for instance through the internet, social media, 24-hour news, and other modern technology.
• Direct democracy: increase in referendums, recall elections and initiatives

Question 3

What are voting Procedure in the UK?

Answer 3

• Postal Voting: receive ballot papers through post and vote over extended period of time e.g. two weeks. Used in the 2004 European Parliament elections in the North-West, North-East and Yorkshire – turnout increased as was hoped. Small amount of electoral fraud involving postal voting leading to concerns
• Electronic Voting: if voters could vote on computers (or mobile phones) turnout would be higher. Worries about security of using this approach
• Week-end Voting: UK elections held on a Thursday. If held on week-end, is assumed turn-out would be higher.
• Problems: Possible problems with corruption: Who is voting? Security Issues, Technical issues. Is voting devalued if it is too easy? Postal voting – some people vote too soon; before debates, policy announcements etc.

Question 4

How would compulsory voting work/what are it’s problems?

Answer 4

• Compulsory Voting: Has worked well in other countries (Australia 89% in 2022 compared to 60% - 2024 in Britain) Government more likely to represent large minority of voters – greater legitimacy. Voters more likely to engage. Voters more likely to join political parties/pressure groups. Poor/disadvantaged more likely to vote, so issues addressed, which is now not the case.
• Problems: Goes against Freedom of the Individual. Not voting can be a protest. Ignorant voters will vote for the ‘wrong/poor’ policies. Danger of ‘forced voters’ voting for extremist or joke parties. Will parties make less effort to attract voters? Or, will they chase ‘reluctant voters’ with inappropriate policies. More spoilt ballot papers. How would it be enforced? Will the poor have to pay fines/go to prison?

Question 5

What is meant by votes at 16 and what are it’s implications?

Answer 5

• Votes at 16: Encourages young people to engage early, will continue with politics throughout adult life. 16-year-olds can work (pay taxes), have sex, join armed forces, so should be able to vote Worked in Scottish referendum (September 2014) – good turnout and political engagement.
• Problems: 16-year-olds are insufficiently mature or knowledgeable to vote. Most 16-year-olds do not work full time or join armed forces, so this is not relevant. Opposed by the Conservative Party – often in government. If vote in low numbers, turnout for the whole electorate could decline.

Question 6

What are the implications of using more direct democracy?

Answer 6

Greater Use of DD – encourage voters to be better informed/participate in campaigns that occur when important issues are put to a direct vote.
Problems - Danger of being used for Party Political interests. Governments reluctant to incorporate DD into decision-making.

Question 7

What are the implications of Deliberative Democracy?

Answer 7

– greater use of focus groups, discussion groups, consultation with the public before decisions are made by politicians – reflective democracy or dialogic democracy.
Problems - Who exactly is engaged with? Focus Groups? Might be dominated by people with more time (the elderly) and money (middle-classes).

Question 8

What are 7 potential democratic reforms?

Answer 8

• The House of Lords and Head of State could both be elected.
• Codified constitution. Guarantee a wide range of freedoms.
• FPTP could be replaced by PR system.
• Regional devolution allows politics to ‘come closer to the people’, especially if assemblies had considerable powers. Help strengthen local government, which is weak in UK.
• Parliament given greater powers/responsibilities, becomes more independent of executive.
• State funding of political parties. Remove influence of wealthy donors
• A decline in the influence of big business would allow other sections of society to be more heavily involved in the democratic process.