Evaluate The View Uk Has A Participation Crisis

Question 1

Introduction.

Answer 1

A lack of engagement with politics by the electorate. E.g ppl choose not to vote.
The historic low turnout of 2001 general election caused concern for Britain’s PC and fears it would lead to a democratic deficit with gov lacking legitimacy.
Some argue participation ‘shifted’ due to citizens turn to e-democracy + pressure groups.
However, overall trend declining voter turnout + party membership clearly suggests participation crisis.

Question 2

Agree

Answer 2

P- declining voter turnout with more than 40% of electorate not vote in July 2024 election. Turnout was 59.7% only marginally higher than 2001.
Explain- 2001 election may have been an anomaly caused by new labour dominance + healthy economy at the time as turnout then returned to higher levels.
Evaluation- overall trend is its decreased dramatically in 21st century. Furthermore, Starmers labour gov also lacks legitimacy as they were elected by only 20% of the electorate.

Counter- voter turnout has recovered. Higher in the 2016 EU referendum.
E- however weak as it was an e.g of direct democracy, therefore citiznes may have felt their vote was more important than in general elections, where FPTP leads too safe seats and wasted votes.
Evaluation- the statistics showing the decline in voter turnout shows the participation crisis.

Question 3

Agree

Answer 3

Point- party membership has fallen.
Evidence- 1980s around 4% of electorate were political party members. 2022, fallen to 1.5% of the electorate. Membership of Conservative Party has more than halved from the 1990s to 2001.
Explain-This affects the funding of parties, more funds need to be raised from donations and also for the democratic system.
Counter- membership for some parties is increasing e.g reform UK as more people are anti-immigration.
Explain- people join parties if they are proposing more radical change.

Evaluation- despite his, it’s clear party membership for established parties has declined rapidly, overall the numbers joining parties is a tiny fraction of electorate. So P.C

Question 4

Disagree

Answer 4

Point- shift in participation due to increased use e-democracy and pressure groups.
Explain- e-petitions popular due to little effort to sign them
EXAMPLE NEEDED
Example- also the use of social media go influence politicians, as campaigns posted + become popular quickly.
Many also participate in pressure groups e.g Countryside Alliance( focus on issues relating to countryside e.g farming, rural services and field sports).
Evaluation- however may only have very limited impact on gov policy in comparison to political party members who may have more influence over their party’s leadership and direction, suggesting this ‘shift’ don’t have same impact and don’t make up for the fact so many are turning away form traditional methods of participation.