democracy and participation Flashcards
(10 cards)
who can’t vote in the UK?
prisoners, EU citizens living in the UK, members of the House of Lords, incapacitated psychiatric patients (under Mental Health Act 1983), convicts of electoral fraud
Milestones in the ‘Representation of the People Acts’
1918 - women over 30 (who were married to property owners), men over 21
1928 - an equal basis: men and women over 21
1969 - men and women over 18
Significance of the Great Reform Act
1832 - 6 million more men could vote
landmark piece of legislation; expansion of voter eligibility; expanded the electorate; laid groundwork for future democratic reforms; set precedent for peaceful political reform; marked decline of whig aristocracy’s dominance
Electoral forms of political participation
voting in a referendum
voting in an election
standing for MP
joining a political party
Non-electoral forms of political participation
protests / demonstrations: 2003 Anti-War Iraq
online activism / e-petitions
social media activism / advocacy campaigns
writing letters and correspondence (to MP)
public debates and forums
How could it be argued that there is a political participation crisis?
low turnout at elections, falling party membership, political apathy, disillusionment with politicians and political parties
Evidence of falling party membership
DECLINE Labour - 1950s - 1 million … 2020s - 400,000, despite a brief surge under Corbyn 2015-20), membership has declined
Conservatives - 1950s-2 million … 2020s - 180,000
GROWTH SNP - growth of membership around 2014 Scottish Independence referendum, growing membership from 100,000 to 120,000 in 2020s
Evidence of low turnout at ‘general elections’
1950s, turnout surpassed 80%… dropped since
2001 - 59% due to Blair’s dominance
2019 - 67%
2024 - 59% … lowest since 2001
How can pressure groups exert influence on the government?
wealth : donations increase capability
‘Tax Payers Alliance’ can afford professional lobbyists
membership : high membership enhances legitimacy and financial support
insider status : via specialist skills or connections
CBI (Confederation of British Industry), as a representative body for the business community, they can work directly gov ministers, policy makers etc
celebrity endorsement : increasing awareness
Marcus Rashford’s free school meals
Hugh Grant become public face for ‘Hacked off’ during the 2011 Leveson inquiry on the culture and ethics of British media
examples of successful/influential think tanks
under Thatcher - INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS (IEA)
+ under Liz Truss
Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) — Welfare Reform under Cameron
IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) — New Labour’s “Third Way”
Johnson - Policy Exchange — Modern Conservative Policy Influence
