UK Citizens Can Effectively Participate in the Political System. Discuss. (20) Flashcards
(10 cards)
How can UK citizens participate in politics?
Voting, Joining pressure groups, Consuming political media, Standing for election
What makes voting effective?
Everyone aged 18+ can vote. Citizens can influence policies and hold leaders accountable. Referendums like Brexit show direct influence.
Limitations of voting?
Low turnout, especially among youth. FPTP leads to wasted votes in safe seats. Disproportionate influence by older voters.
How do pressure groups enable participation?
Influence policy through lobbying, protests, and petitions. Represent common interests (e.g., Greenpeace, Unite, CBI). Successful at raising awareness (e.g., Extinction Rebellion).
Criticism of pressure group participation?
Insider groups have more power. Elite control can marginalize voices. Not all causes gain equal traction.
How does media contribute to political participation?
Keeps citizens informed. Hosts debates and exposes policies. Encourages online discourse and engagement.
What limits media’s effectiveness?
Echo chambers and misinformation. Media bias. Misleading content (e.g., Brexit referendum coverage).
What does standing for election involve?
Citizens can run for office from local to national levels. Increases representation of diverse backgrounds. Key to active, direct political participation.
Why is standing for election not equally accessible?
High financial cost. Requires political connections. Dominated by major parties. Barriers for underrepresented groups.
What’s the overall conclusion on citizen participation?
Citizens have multiple effective participation routes, but real equality is limited by electoral system flaws, unequal access to resources, and media challenges. Improvements could include political education, electoral reform, and better access for marginalized groups.
