reforms to democracy Flashcards
what are the advantages of cumpulsary voting
would increase the legitimacy of members of the HoC due to a higher turnout
seen to work in australia
what is a disadvantage to cumpulsary voting
forcing people to vote wouldnt improve public engagement with voting
people may not like any of the options
right to vote also includes right not to vote
what is an advantage to replacing the monarchy with a president or elected head of state
removing an unelected figure without the mandate to an elected one which can be held accountable
what is a disadvantage of replacing the monarchy with a president or elected head of state
monarchy is traditional and popular
what is an advantage to replacing FPTP with a more proportional electoral system
removes - features of FPTP
what is a disadvantage of removing FPTP
risk losing MP-constituent link
could be a new complicated system
what are the advantages to votes at 16
there are 1.5million 16-17 year olds in england who could become more interested in politics and increase voter turnout
at 16, other things become available and 16 year olds are treated as adults
scotland and wales = votes at 16
what are the disadvantages to votes at 16
- people can easily be influenced by people around them —> teachers, parents, friends
- some children could be too immature to be trusted to vote HOWEVER this would give them an oppertunity to become more serious and involved
what are the advantages to digital voting
- convenient and flexible = higher turnout
- eliminates need for transportation or postage on ballots
- more secrecy for voters with visual or hearing impairments
- less expensive
- reduces ballot errors
- faster counting
what are the disadvantages to digital voting
- low but there is still a risk of election tampering
- could be more complex to some people
—> the elderly
