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11 Cards in this Set
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In what ways has political participation declined in the UK in recent years? |
-Firstly and most generally, there has been declining turnout in elections at all levels. The 2001 general election recorded a turnout of 59%, the lowest figure since 1918. Although this rose in 2015, 66% remains low by historical standards. In 2005, the combination of a low turnout and declining support for the Labour Party meant only 1/5 of the electorate voted for the government of the day. This here, damages the legitimacy of the politicians elected, creating damage to those elected politicians who go on to hold office and/or government power. -There is also a decline in party membership. The Labour Party's membership has fallen from more than 1 million in the mid 1950's, to around 190,000 in 2015. There are very similar examples for the conservative party. By 2015, fewer than 1% of the UK electorate belonged to one of the three major parties. Declining party membership is also mirrored by a decline in the voters loyalty towards political parties and the extent to which they 'identify' with them. This trend towards partisan realignment has seen a shift from regular and habitual voting habits in the UK, to more volatile and less predictable ones. It also promotes a concern that there will be a shortage of politicians of calibre to hold office. It is also suggested that thelevels of participation have fallen as the main parties who contest elections allhold similar views so there is a lack of choice and thus people fail to be engagedand participate. It can be seen to produce a decline in political activists for the major politicalparties which in turn has an impact on raising levels of participation.The level of political participation may be falling as the public becomedisillusioned with the behaviour and conduct of politicians (sleaze etc.). |
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To what extent is there a 'democratic deficit' in the UK' ? |
-Democracy in the UK has been said to be in 'defecit' for a number of reasons. Firstly, this is seen in the declining turnout in elections.The 2001 general election recorded a turnout of 59%, the lowest figure since 1918. Although this rose in 2015, 66% remains low by historical standards. In 2005, the combination of a low turnout and declining support for the Labour Party meant only 1/5 of the electorate voted for the government of the day. -There is also a decline in party membership. By 2015, fewer than 1% of the UK electorate belonged to one of the three major parties. Declining party membership is also mirrored by a decline in the voters loyalty towards political parties and the extent to which they 'identify' with them. It is also suggested that the levels of participation have fallen as the main parties who contest elections all hold similar views so there is a lack of choice and thus people fail to be engaged and participate. -As well as this, there is said to be an unfair voting system. FPTP is a non-proportional system which fails to establish a reliable link between the proportion of votes won by parties and the proportion of seats they gain. For example, in 1951, the Conservatives formed a majority government but won fewer seats than Labour. Large and geogrpahically concentrated parties benefit at the expense of small parties. HOWEVER: -new systems of PR have been introduced, which allow for generally more proportional and democratic electoral outcomes. For example, the PR system AMS is used for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, and the Greater London Assembly. The mixed character of this system balances the need for constituency representation against the need for electoral fairness -Also, reforms such as devolution have been put in place to enhance democracy. The creation in 1999 of a Scottish Parliament, a Welsh Assembly and a Northern Ireland Assembly strengthened democracy by giving the constituent nations of the UK their own political voice, it refined representative democracy, and it widened the opportunities available for political participation, therefore strengthening civic engagement and political education |
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Explain 3 forms of democratic participation |
-Firstly, there is voting at elections, which take place at all levels: local, regional, national and European. These are participative as the public are selecting office holders and a set or ideas or policies which they favor. Citizens of course may also stand for government and hold office. Elections can also be seen as a form of participation to registerdiscontent with the incumbent office holder. In 1997 the national votewas seen as participative comment on the last Conservativegovernment. -Citizens may also join pressure groups for further avenues to participate in politics. Pressure groups give a political voice to minorities who are ignored by the majoritarian parliamentary system. They also provide a way in which citizens can exert influence between elections. They are an important vehicle for political participation, beyond the ritualistic act of voting. While turnout in elections is falling, the membership of pressure groups has been steadily rising since the 1960's. -Another form of democratic participation is that citizens may take part in referendums, which advance their participation. They allow the public to make decisions directly. Many voters will see voting in a referendum as far more meaningful than voting in elections, as it is about a specific issue, which they are told lots about, and they can make a direct change, instead of someone else doing it 'on behalf of them'. This is show in the huge turnout of the 2014 Scottish Independance tunout of 84.6% which was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since the introduction of universal suffrage. |
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Explain 3 strengths of representative democracy |
-It allows government by experts or specialists, placing the power in the hands of the talented. For instance in terms of law and economics government posts are filled with people who possess detailed knowledge in these areas. For example, MP Sir Michael Fallon was minister for small business, Industry and enterprise from 2012-14, previously having been the director of a host of small businesses, to do with fitness, nursing homes and nurseries. Therefore, he has had the experience and has gained the knowledge to use his specialist expertise the general public benefit. -It allows division of Labor, relieving the burden on the ordinary citizen and allows them to carry on with their chosen pursuits. It provides relief from the chore of decision making and political meetings. Direct democracy in this circumstance would not be practical in a large modern society. In Ancient Athens, the method of government was by mass meeting, where all the citizens would meet in a certain location and make policy decisions. Of course, this would now be impossible. -Another huge strength of representative democracy is that it provides accountability. Through elections and free speech, the public can hold officers to account, throwing out errant governments and poorly performing ministers. For example, in 1997, the general public voted Conservative (John Major) out, and instead voted Labour (Tony Blair) in instead, as in the period leading up to the election, the public opinion polls showed Labour in favor, and it was said that he failed to win public support. |
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Distinguish between majoritarian representation and proportional representation |
Features of majoritarian representation include; parties can get a majority of the seats without necessarily obtaining a majority of the votes cast, meaning governments are often formed without the support of 50% of those who voted. Also, they are said to engineer a 'winners bonus', as one party is often over rewarded, and over represented in terms of seats for the number of votes they recieved. First Past The Post, which is a plurality system, usually produces majoritarian representative. So, the Westminster system of government, requiring 50% of seats, is majoritarian. This type of representation often ensures that one party obtains a majority of the seats in a legislature, associated with a strong, single party government. -On the other hand, in proportional representation, there is a close correlation between the number of votes cast and the number of seats obtained. This means that parties are rewarded with a fair share of the seats for the votes they obtained. At its optimum level this would mean for example that if a party received30% of the vote cast it should receive 30% of the seats available.- It is said to confer a greater sense of legitimacy on governments which areformed subsequent to an election- Often proportional representation means that a majority one partygovernment is not achieved and that coalitions are the normal outcome ofthis system.- The list system, AMS and STV are proportional systems which aim to provideproportional representation |
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Apart from referendums, explain three ways in which democracy in the UK could be improved |
-changing the Westminster voting system from FPTP to some form of proportional representation: At the moment, the voting system for Westminster is extremely disproportional which limits democracy in the political system. The system over represents larger parties and those with more geographically concentrated support, rather than having a reliable link between popularity and chance to have power. In 1951, the Conservatives formed a majority government but won fewer votes than Labour. A more proportional system would be better. For example, in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, using AMS, although Labour won almost half the constituency seats on the basis of 32% of the vote, its overall representation in the Scottish Parliament was 'corrected' by the distribution of party list seats - Lowering the voting age to 16: This would enhance democracy because, at the moment a whole sector of society (the youth) are being ignored. The lack of political representation for young people between 16 and 18 means their needs, views and interests are routinely marginalized. Lowering the voting age would give greater attention to issues such as education, drugs policy and, generally, social morality. In Cuba, Nicaragua and the Isle of Man, the voting age in 16. According to ICM’s survey, 75% of 16 and 17 year olds voted, compared with 54% of 18-24 year olds and 72% of 25-34 year olds. -Introducing the use of e-democracy: This means there is easier participation. It is therefore positive impacts on participation rates and political education |
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Explain the arguments in favor of making voting compulsory |
-It would increase participation levels for all levels of elections, ranging from local and EU electios which are dangerously low, to elections for Westminster. Increased levels of participation could generate increased legitimacy. This is because, compulsory voting would increase turnout. This is important because democracy should be based on the consent of the people. By voting, citizens show consent. So, a democracy without high electoral turnouts rules without consent -It has been introduced in other countries such as Australia and Belgium, showing it is a practical possibility -Compulsory voting would be a catalyst for wider civic duties in society. When voting is voluntary, the poor, uneducated, minorities and young people vote less than the rich, white and educated. This means under compulsory voting, almost every demographic and socio-economic group votes at equally high rates. Therefore, compulsory voting produces more representative government. -Compulsory voting increases the political education of the people. They will tend to pay more attention to politics if they know they have to vote. -It may extend the citizens understanding of issues and the functions of government |
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In what circumstances are referendums held in the UK? |
- To fulfil pledges made in party manifestos. For example, in 1997, Labour promised in their manifesto to hold a referendum on a Mayor for London. More recently, In the 2015 Conservative manifesto, David Cameron formalised the Conservative policy of EU renegotiation followed by an in/out referendum -To provide legitimacy to major constitutional changes. An example of this was the decision for the devolution of power to Scotland and Wales -It may also be to settle an internal party dispute over a contested issue. It has been said that the national referendum in 1975 over continued EEC membership was more concerned with disputes inside the Labour Party than wider public concerns -At a local level, referendums may be held to solve issues ranging from planning proposals, locally elected mayors, schooling and transport issues. At a local level, referendums can be triggered by petitions. For example, a referendum on having an elected mayor for Bath and North East Somerset went ahead following a successful petition from campaigners. -A specific reason may have been to satisfy the terms for a coalition government between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. For example, in 2011, David Cameron was forced to call a referendum in whether to replace FPTP with AV for Westminster elections since this was the price the Liberal Democrats had demanded for joining the coalition |
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Explain how and why the use of digital democracy could make the UK more democratic |
Digital democracy refers to the various ways by which modern and oftenelectronic mediums can engage and secure participation of the public in thepolitical environment. It could work through the greater use of the internet to gauge public opinion by mini referenda and e-petitions. Also, through the use of the internet to activate political debate through social media like twitter and facebook.
-E democracy is necessary because turnout is declining at all levels of elections. The turnout for the 2015 general election was 66%, which is more than 9% below the 1945-92 average. E democracy enables citizens to express their views easily and conveniently without having to leave home. So, it is likely to have a positive impact on participation rates and therefore democratic legitimacy for policy and the prime minister and ruling party. It will also have a positive impact on political education. Falling electoral turnout may simply be a consequence of the failure of the democratic process to keep up to date with citizens wish to participate in politics -Digital democracy also lead to greater levels of direct democracy. New technology has supported the development of political and social movements, and increased their effectiveness. This has given rise to a new style of decentralized and non-hierarchic activist politics, and shifted power from government to private citizens. -It was also allow for far cheaper and easier to organize, and therefore more frequent, referendums, if done virtually. One of the disadvantages of the wider use of referendums is the significant time, cost and resources that go into their organisation , so they usually have to be organised months in advance. Being able to hold things such as referendums, which gives power to the people, would undoubtedly advance democracy. |
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Explain 3 criticisms of representative democracy |
-Apathy and disengagement: participation levels are often low and this calls into question the legitimacy of the system. People feel disconnected from politics as they have gotten used to relying on others to make decisions for them. This is shown in the recent 59% turnout in 2001, which was the lowest figure since 1918. Peoples's disengagement is also shown in the falling membership of political parties. For example, the Conservative Party membership has fallen from 2.8 million in the mid 1950's, to around 150,000 in 2015. By 2015, fewer than 1% of the UK electorate belonged to one of the 3 major political parties. - the narrow nature of representatives who are seen asnot a true reflection of the people in society who they claim to represent. only22% of MP’s being women, which is a far smaller percentage than other WesternEuropean Parliaments. 90% are in the top two social classes in Britain, and 35%were privately education, despite only 7% of the population attending feepaying schools. This implies that backbench MP’s are not effective in carryingout a representative function in parliament. In many cases, MP's also do not represent their own constituents, even though this is a large part of their role. For example, in 2005, Oona King voted for Iraq War even though the majority of her constituents were against it -Problems have emerged with the political parties who influence the politicalprocess, claiming such things as narrow choice and elite rule. The Government is left to make decisions concerning the whole country, which is seen as unfair and undemocratic. For example, in 2011 there were 50,000 protesters to tuition fees, but the government still passed it |
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Explain 3 criticisms that have been made of referendums |
-In some ways, referendums can actually strengthen government. They can be manipulated by those in power to suit their own needs and solving internal divisions, as opposed to delivering clear democratic needs. For example, in 2011, David Cameron was forced to call a referendum in whether to replace FPTP with AV for Westminster elections since this was the price the Liberal Democrats had demanded for joining the coalition Not only do governments decide whether, when and over what issues to call referendums, but they also frame the question asked. They can also dominate the publicity campaign. A referendum rarely has a neutral or unbiased platform. Often oneside has more money, more favourable press coverage and financedetermines the outcome. - Also, the over-use of referendums can cause a lethargy eventually in the public. If we significantly increase the use, the risk of the public becoming so used to them that they pay less attention and think about it less, comes into play which poses the threat that we will go back to the original problem of disillusionment and a low turnout - As well as this, Referendums often deal with issues that are too complex for the electorate to understand. The referendums held on devolution in 1997-1998 proved difficult to understand having dealt with complex issues. Similarly, the referendum on AV proved difficult for many voters to understand. The main reason why they considered it an opinion poll to shun the Liberal Democrat Party rather than dealing with the issue of Alternative Vote/electoral reform as the referendum asked. - |
