Democracy and Participation Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are 5 ways that UK citizens can participate in politics?
-Stand for public office
-Active/passive party membership
-Pressure group membership
-Digital activism (e-petitions, media campaigns, support causes etc)
-Voting
Summarise the state of political participation in the UK.
-More widespread than ever before.
-Possibly less intensive + less challenging.
-Fall in voter turnout and party membership.
-Increase in alternative forms of political participation.
Evidence to show decline in political participation
What 3 GE turnouts suggest participation decline?
1950 - 84%
2001 - 51%
2024 - 60%
Arguments suggesting political participation isn’t in decline.
What led to a surge in LP membership between 2015 and 2018?
-Ed Miliband reduced membership fees to £3.
-Corbyn’s leadershipled to rise in popularity of Momentum.
-Membership was 552,000 by 2018.
-It is now just over 390,000 - dipped.
Arguments suggesting political participation isn’t in decline.
What two parties suggest an increase in political participation?
Rise of SNP - claimed to have 100,000 members in 2014.
Rise of UKIP - nearly 50,000 in run up to EU referendum.
What were the turnouts of the Scottish Independence and EU referendums?
SI - 84.6%
EU - 72.2%
Suggests referendums could prevent democratic deficit as they encourage participation.
The public can directly engage in a way they know their vote matters.
Define e-democracy and give an example of an e-petition.
The growing tendancy for democracy to be carried out online in the form of e-petitions and other online campaigns.
Over 500,000 people signed the ‘Bad Owners Are To Blame, Not The Breed’ e-petition in 2023 attempting to stop the XL bully ban in the UK (failed).
How may they improve participation levels?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-democracy?
-Require little effort.
-Support for an issue is immediately apparent.
-Can build interest / bandwagon effect.
-No guarantee that participants are genuinely educated on the issue.
-People won’t take their vote seriously.
-Easily misinformed / spread misinformation e.g UKIP 2016 misinformed EU referendum.
Example of an impactful e-petition.
-2011 petition calling for the release of documents relating to the Hillsborough football disaster 1989.
-139,000 signatures.
-Triggered a parliamentary debate and the papers were released, leading to a second inquiry.
What are 2 internet sites that facilitate online social movements?
Change.org
38 Degrees
Reform of UK democracy.
What was the parliamentary scandal of 2009?
-Freedom of Info Act 2000 led to 2008 request of MP expenses information.
-Mps held accountable and criticised for expenses abuse.
-Labour minister Tony McNulty admitted claiming expenses for a second home in Harrow, 8 miles from his main home.
Lobbying scandal
Why is trust in MPs very low?
Owen Paterson lobbying scandal:
-Guardian uncovered that he had repeatedly lobbied two companies who were paying him +£100,000 a year.
-Used his office 16 times for business meetings.
-Breached paid advocacy rules.
-Eventually resigned, and his constituency North Shropshire voted Lib Dems instead (Nov 2021) Was a safe seat Con
What are proposals for further UK democratic reform?
-Further devolution - local mayors + Scotland/Wales/NI
-HoL reform - second elected chamber
-Digital democracy - online voting + e-petitions
-Electoral reform - replace FPTP
What are arguments for + against devolution?
-Bring government closer to the people so they can understand and cater their needs more efficiently.
-Greater opportunity for political participation.
-More accountable.
-Low turnout in devolved assemblies.
2016:
Scottish Parliament 55.6%
Welsh Assembly 45.3%
Northern Irish Assembly 54.9%
