Democracy and participation

Question 1

Should there be greater use of direct democracy in the UK?
- advantages

Answer 1

• promotes participation
• improves accountability
• improves political education
• enhances legitimacy
• it works, 2014 scottish independence, 85% turnout
• purer form of democracy to let the people have a say

Question 2

Should there be greater use of direct democracy in the UK?
- disadvantages

Answer 2

• lack of political education, elected may be better to make judgements
• referendums are not binding to gov, parliament in sovereign
• populist outcomes can prevail
• turnout low, AV 2011 42%
• tyranny of majority
• impractical in large and diverse country, costly and time consuming

Question 3

Should prisoners in the UK have the right to vote?
- yes

Answer 3

• voting is basic civil right
• no evidence that taking away vote is a deterrent to not commit crime
• removal of vote makes them seem alienated from society

Question 4

Should prisoner in the UK have the right to vote
- no

Answer 4

• those who commit crimes have no right to say how society is run
• deterrent against breaking the law
• public opinion is against such a change
• undermines parliamentary sovereignty

Question 5

Is there a participation crisis in the UK?
- yes

Answer 5

• turnout low in many recent elections, 2019 2% lower than previous one
• membership has declined down by 65% since 1983
• disillusionment with politicians increased since 2009 expenses
• political apathy
• participation methods amount to slacktivism (easy, social media)

Question 6

Is there a participation crisis in the UK?
- no

Answer 6

• SNP and Green seen increases in party memberships
• turnout not consistently low, referendums high turnouts
• shift away from traditional forms of participation e-petitions
• social movements gaining traction, BLM
• growth in pressure groups, National Trust
• internet movements, #MeToo sexual harassment