Participation crises

Question 1

forms of political participation (PP)

Answer 1

-voting
-boycotting/striking
-e-petitions
-joining pressure groups/parties- canvassing/leaflets

Question 2

turnout for 2019 GE

Answer 2

67.3%, down 1.5% from 2017
below 1970s 78.8% (1974)

Question 3

average turnout between 1974-1997, 2005-2019

Answer 3

75%
66%

Question 4

% of AB/DE voters voting in 2019

Answer 4

AB- 68%
DE- 53%

Question 5

do scandals affect turnout?

Answer 5

yes- low by-election turnout after David Warburton resigned (called them a ‘waste of time’)

Question 6

issues w/ FPTP

Answer 6

low turnout is lower in other elections in devolved institutions too- FPTP can’t be blamed entirely
Welsh senate election in 2021- 47% turnout, London Merell- 22%

Question 7

negative effects of social media

Answer 7

-ppl engage w/others w/similar political views
-harmful forms of PP (hate speech)
-30 million will leave Twitter after removal of safe-guards

Question 8

negative effects of e-petitions

Answer 8

-many aren’t debated in Parliament- stop some from signing- from 8,154 on official govt. website, only 456 received govt. response (2019)
-increased no. may devalue them

Question 9

has turnout increased 2001-17

Answer 9

yes, generally has increased- may have decreased in 2019 due to time of year (December)

Question 10

voting in safe seat areas?

Answer 10

not voting may be better- shows dissatisfaction w/policies

Question 11

referendum turnouts

Answer 11

high turnouts- ppl may only vote when they think it counts
e.g. Scottish Independence ref. in 2014- 85% turnout, 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections had 7.6% more than previous (65%), EU ref had 72% turnout

Question 12

positive effects of social media

Answer 12

-permitted more activity at minimal cost- constituents communicate w/politicians
-BBC Breaking News acc. had 10 million followers on X, UK PM had 5.8 mil in 2022

Question 13

positive effects of e-petitions

Answer 13

-ppl are still signing petitions to put pressure on govt. even if they may not be debated
-from 2015-20, HofC library said 23 million ppl signed petitions on its website (more on others- e.g. Change)
-‘End period poverty’ campaign began as a petition, scrapped tampon tax + VAT on sanitary products

Question 14

issues w/ ‘checkbook’ members in pressure groups

Answer 14

pay membership fees + do little else
may join just for benefits (e.g. National Trust)

Question 15

issues w/ leadership in pressure groups

Answer 15

power is in hands of unelected leaders- ppl may be put off by protests that cause public disturbance
-e.g. Extinction Rebellion prevented tube trains, Just Stop Oil glue themselves to goal posts at football matches/interrupted ‘high profile’ snooker games
-activities may deter ppl joining: self-defeating

Question 16

issues w/ protests in pressure groups

Answer 16

protests have gotten harder- Policing Acts 2022 (prevents loud protests), Public Order Act 2023 (police more power to stop ppl attending demonstrations)
-e.g. peaceful protesters from Anti-Monarchy Group Republic were arrested at King’s coronation, police could say bike locks could be used to lock themselves to buildings (grounds for arrest)

Question 17

benefits of action w/ pressure groups

Answer 17

lot of action- shows participation
-e.g. ex Extinction Rebellion has said they will shit their tactics + make things more inclusive (acknowledging actions are self defeating)

Question 18

benefits of joining/causes w/ pressure groups

Answer 18

ppl more likely to join less abstract/more specific causes- specifically ones which will impact where they live/their individual selves
-fair funding for schools was v. popular at engaging teachers/parents in campaigning against budget cuts