Democracy and Participation - Participation Crisis

Question 1

General Election Turnout (2001)
Example For (Crisis): 2001 General Election

Answer 1

– 59% turnout
One of the lowest turnouts in UK history; shows public disengagement from formal democratic processes.

Question 2

Participation Crisis – Youth Turnout (2015)
Example For (Crisis)

Answer 2

Only 43% of 18–24-year-olds voted in 2015
Young people are significantly less likely to vote, raising concerns about long-term democratic health.

Question 3

Participation Crisis – Party Membership Decline (1990s–2010s)
Example For (Crisis)

Answer 3

Conservative Party membership fell from ~400,000 in 1990 to ~150,000 in 2013
Major parties losing members suggests weakening traditional political engagement.

Question 4

party membership continued:

Answer 4

the rise of reforms membership - passed that of the conservatives around 200,000?

Question 5

Participation Crisis – Brexit Referendum (2016)
Example Against (No Crisis):
EU Referendum

Answer 5

– 72% turnout
Showed mass engagement, especially among groups that usually abstain—clear public interest in key issues.

Question 6

Participation Crisis – Online Petitions (e.g., 2019 Revoke Article 50)
Example Against (No Crisis)

Answer 6

Over 6 million people signed Revoke Article 50 petition in 2019
Digital participation is growing—even if not traditional, it reflects public engagement.

Question 7

Participation Crisis – Pressure Groups (e.g., Extinction Rebellion)
Example Against (No Crisis)

Answer 7

Extinction Rebellion protests (since 2018)
Mass mobilisations, especially among youth, show alternative forms of democratic participation are thriving.

Question 8

Participation Crisis – Party Membership Surge (Post-2015 Labour)
Example Against (No Crisis):

Answer 8

Labour membership grew to over 500,000 under Jeremy Corbyn
Shows resurgence of interest in party politics among activists and young voters.