6 - Democracy & Participation

Question 1

Suffrage before 1832:

Answer 1

1) Only wealthy, male landowners could vote
2) Less than 4% of population
3) Peterloo Massacre 1819 - 17 male suffragists killed after cavalry charge protesting Parliament refusal of universal male suffrage

Question 2

Great Reform Acts

Answer 2

1) 1832 - Extended to middle-class property owners (5.6%)
2) Second 1867 - Extended to renters (11%)
3) Third 1884 - Extended to working class (28%)

Question 3

Women’s Suffrage

Answer 3

• Gained rights to vote in 1918 & 1928
• Many male suffrage supporters opposed suffragettes and suffragists

Question 4

Representation of the People Acts

Answer 4

1) 1918 - All men over 21 (Vet 19) & women property owners over 30 (74%)
2) 1928 - All men & women over 21 (+5 mil)
3) 1969 - All over 18

Question 5

How could the UK be experiencing a crisis in political participation?

Answer 5

1) Membership - Decreased since 1950s (e.g.
2) Voting
3) Donations

Question 6

How might the UK not be experiencing a crisis in political participation?

Answer 6

1) Rising voting in referendums
2) E-petitions
3) Pressure Groups

Question 7

Advantages of increased direct democracy?

Answer 7

• Promotes participation
• Popular with voters
• Enhances political legitimacy
• Improved accountability

Question 8

Drawbacks of increased direct democracy?

Answer 8

• Lack of political education
• Parliament still sovereign
• Impractical for many situations

Question 9

Is there a crisis of political participation?

Answer 9

1) Falling part membership (Cons: 3 mil in 1950 to 170,000 in 2022)
2) Lower voter turnouts (59% 2001)
3) Disillusionment & dealignment (e.g. Partygate 2022)

Question 10

Counters to political participation crisis?

Answer 10

1) Recent rise in party membership (Labour: 500,000 under Corbyn)
2) Large voter turnouts for important issues (85% at Scot Ind. referendum)
3) Increased pressure group membership (e.g. rise of Just Stop Oil + BLM 210,000)

Question 11

How might representative democracy be in crisis?

Answer 11

1) Rise of referendums (2011, 2014, 2016)
2) FPTP (1997 - 40% vote = 70% seats)
3) Whip system (Mandate model - lack of MPs fighting party)

Question 12

Why might rep. democracy not be in crisis?

Answer 12

1) Sovereignty over referendums
2) FPTP provides strong mandate to carry out wishes of voters
3) Whips can’t always dissuade opposition (23 MPs voted against BJ prorgation)

Question 13

What reforms could be made to combat participation crisis?

Answer 13

1) Crisis shown in membership + turnout
2) Voting System
3) Lowering voting age