Participation and voting behaviour- forms of participation Flashcards
what are Abstainers
people who dont exercise their right to vote, either through choice or involuntary reasons
what are devolved assemblies
the national parliament in Scotland and the national assemblies in Wales and northern Ireland
what do most democracies allow
voluntary participation
where are examples where participation is mandatory
Australia, Greece, Belgium (or non democratic regimes)
what is the main way in which most people participate
elections (voting in a general election in Britain every 5 years)
about how many people are entitled to vote in Britain
about 46 million (2016 data)
who can’t vote in Britain?
under 18s, some royals, prisoners, non-British citizens, peers and those who have been disqualified for past corruption
when did women get the vote
1928 (1918 for those over 30)
what is the most usual form of participation
voting in elections
what does voter percentage refer to
percentage of the qualified voting-age population that actually turns out on polling day
what countries have the highest voter turnouts
those with compulsory voting laws
over the last few decades what have Britain’s turnout levels been in comparison to other European Democracies?
Lower
what is the range in turnout from Constituency to constituency? (general elections)
from 90% to 40%
what was the level of turnout in the 2015 general election
66.1% (highest its been since 2001)
what is political apathy?
lack of interest and enthusiasm in terms of participating in the political system- often linked to feeling powerless– voting is pointless etc
what is political hapathy?
when voters don’t vote because they are happy with what is happening in politics and don’t feel the need to exercise their vote.
what is alienation
feeling separate, alone and apart from others– estranged from the rest of society, community or the world
what is capitalism
free enterprise economic systems where the means of production are mostly owned by privately
communism is?
everything held in common
what is happening to turnout in most democracies
turnout has been decreasing each (year)
what has the change in turnout led to
concern about the degree of apathy/alienation from the political system – disillusionment
why have party differences narrowed
big issues that previously separated them- capitalism and communism– not relevant anymore
what was the turnout to the European election in 2014 (most recent)
35.60%
turnout to european election in 1979? (first)
31.6%– has fluctuated was 23.6% in 1999
other than elections and referendums, what are some forms of participation
1) member of a political party/ serving on a committee
2) membership of a pressure group
3) canvassing and leaflets
4) direct action (strikes, protests etc)
5) political violence
what is direct action eg
political action outside the constitutional and legal framework like like in 2008 four protesters breached security at Heathrow airport to protest against a third runway
