Unit 1, 1.3 Democracy and Participation: Enhancing Democracy

Question 1

Give 3 arguments:

• FOR lowering the voting age
• AGAINST lowering the voting age.

Answer 1

Lowering the voting age: FOR -

• 16 is an age of ‘responsibilities without rights ‘ (such as
  the age of consent and entering the field of
  employment). Place this right in line with other aspects
  of citizenship available at 16.
• By encouraging citizenship at a younger age, we are
  allowing a good habit to be formed earlier in life, thus
  making it more likely to stay on through later life.
• It can tackle apathy by stimulating greater schoolground
  and dinner table discussion, helping the young to
  engage and participate in politics more.

Lowering the voting age: AGAINST -

• It is important to note that in England a 16-year-old can
  only marry or leave home with their parents’ permission.
  A 16-year-old also cannot buy alcohol, buy cigarettes, or
  drive a car. You cannot argue on the grounds of
  ‘consistency’ without also arguing to lower the legal age
  for these activities as well
• Younger voters are too idealistic and lack the life
  experience to influence future country policy.
• Young voters are less independent, and their political opinion (if they even possess one) is more likely to be swayed by teachers, lecturers, and their parents.

Question 2

Give 3 arguments:

• FOR compulsory voting
• AGAINST compulsory voting

Answer 2

3 arguments FOR:

• Voting can be seen as a civic duty that is comparable to other duties that citizens perform (e.g. paying taxes, attending school, jury service). As such it should be obligatory.
• Candidates must consider the total electorate in policy formulation, rather than those most likely to turn out (e.g. elderly 78% 2015)
• More campaigning is focussed on issues, rather than “get out the vote” activities.

3 arguments AGAINST:

• Infringes on basic principle of liberty to coerce the electorate into casting a ballot.
• ## Those who are apathetic and wouldn’t vote anyway would be forced to the polls, increasing the number of donkey and informal votes. (e.g. 9% spoilt ballots in Aus vs 1% in UK)

Question 3

How did the POWER Report (2006) suggest UK democracy could be improved?

Answer 3

• Apathy to formal politics
• can be tackled by enhancing the UK’s democratic institutions and processes
  e.g.
  (- More choice into the electoral and party systems)
  (- increased use of direct democracy to give the electorate a greater say in policy)
  (- rebalancing of power away from executive + unaccountable bodies towards parliament and local gov.)