how could uk democracy be reformed

Question 1

falling voter engagement turnout at UK elections rarely succeeds 70%
PROBLEM FOR

Answer 1

representative democracy officials elected by a low turnout may lack legitimacy

Question 2

falling voter engagement turnout at UK elections rarely succeeds 70%
REFORMS

Answer 2

make voting compulsory or introduce online voting
+ could increase turnout and improve legitimacy
- would not nessacily increase political education meaning votes could be cast without political knowledge . concern over security of online voting

Question 3

the extent of the franchise . a number of citizens cannot vote for example under 18 yr olds
PROBLEM FOR

Answer 3

liberal dmeocray
protection of rights of citizens

pluralist democracy
allow power to be concentrated into fewer hands

Question 4

the extent of the franchise . a number of citizens cannot vote for example under 18 yr olds
REFORMS

Answer 4

lowering the voting age to 16
+ could encourage poltical engage,ent of young people and increased legitimacy
- questions over wether 16 year olds are mature enough to exercise the vote

Question 5

lack of opportunities for engagement between elections
PROBLEM FOR

Answer 5

direct democracy
elected officials may have years to make descions without listening to the public

Question 6

lack of opportunities for engagement between elections
REFORMS

Answer 6

increase the use of e democracy such as e petitions
+ could increase public engagement ons specific issues and improve legitimacy of descions taken
- could undermine representative democracy an d make elected officials less accountable for their descions

Question 7

representatives can only be held to account at election time
PROBLEM FOR

Answer 7

representative democracy
elected officials are supposed to represent the views of their constituents

Question 8

representatives can only be held to account at election time
REFORMS

Answer 8

improve the ability of constituents to use acts such as the recall of MPs act 2015
+ could improve the relationship between an MP and their constituency and the effectiveness of representation
- could lead to elected official being unable to use their expertise and judgement instead relying on the opinions of their constituents