participation Flashcards
what are the traditional methods of participation?
voting
joining a party + helping to campaign
joining a pressure group + promoting it
organising/ signing petitions
going on a march
striking
writing letters
standing for public office
what are modern developments in participation?
e petitions
blogging
protesting on social media
organising demonstrations via social media
what is slacktivism?
a superficial type of engagement, for example liking a post about something but not then doing anything to help the issue, no active participation
what reasons are there for people believing the UK is in a participation crisis?
electoral participation
party membership
end of corporation
how is electoral participation showing there is a participation crisis?
since 1997 turnout historically low
2001-59%
2010-61%
2017-69%
people not engaged, are decisions legitimate?
low turnout allows small extremist parties to gain larger share of vote
leads to lack of accountability
why is party membership showing there is a participation crisis?
1983 3.8% population member of a party
less than 1% population members now
people disillusioned with main parties, reduces party funds, smaller group of people influencing party policy
what is the decline of corporatism, why has it led to a participation crisis?
Thatcher distrusted group activity, weakened trade unions and economic groups
workers have weaker voice to represent them
decline in no. people willing to fight for collective interest and hold gov accountable
why do people argue there is not a participation crisis in the UK?
increasing turnout
more parties
pressure group membership
social campaigns
how does increased turnout show there is not a participation crisis?
people increasingly engaging and participating
EU referendum- when opinion divided + people care about issue engagement high
why does having more parties increase political participation?
range of parties in commons, more choice for people
new initiatives such as Labours £3 member fee and ability to vote for leader made joining parties easier
membership increasing
why does pressure group membership show there can’t be a participation crisis in the UK?
people members of variety of groups, participate through these rather than party system
thousands of groups in UK
nature of participation simply chanhed
how do social campaigns show there isn’t a participation crisis?
internet and social media means for participation
petitions
easier and cheaper way to get involved
public outcry people turn to social media
what have increased opportunities for participation?
devolution
increased use of referendums
e petitions
pressure groups
why do people argue voting should be made compulsory?
voting= civic responsibility
increase legitimacy of results
politicians more responsive to all in society
can still spoil ballot not forced
educative role
why do people argue voting shouldn’t be made compulsory?
up to politicians to mobilise enthusiasm
people politically disengaged- undermine legitimacy of result
voting not duty
power of state over individual should be resisted
not voting can be positive, shows dissatisfaction with candidates or process
