Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Democracy and Participation (Democracy (Reform (Compulsory voting…
Democracy and Participation
Democracy
Reform
Compulsory voting
Australia: average of 96%
Fine implemented as a deterrent from not voting.
Improve turnout and therefore participation, representation and legitimacy.
Proportional representation
Voted against in 2011 AV ref: 67% said no.
Third party representation.
But this may deny a gov majority and lead to illegitimate gov and instability.
Elected House of Lords
Can legitimately challenge government on their own mandate.
More elected individuals to represent the people.
Extend franchise
Votes for prisoners
Votes at 16
Vote from young age= vote for life
But: Low turnout
Below 40% in 2005
Lowest turnout of any age group
However, 2017 saw a surge to 67%
Educated and can do many adult things
Deficit
Voting system
FPTP is disproportionate and unrepresentative
Safe seats created with FPTP creates voter apathy
Minority wins
Belfast South in 2015: won on 24.5%
House of Lords
Undemocratic, illegitimate, unaccountable, unrepresentative,
92 hereditary peers
Reduced from 650
Hereditary nature made the house elitist. Representation mostly old, white men who came from privileged, hierarchical families.
Other peers appointed by PM.
Electorate elect PM to make these decisions
Institutional power given to PM through patronage/royal prerogative.
Voter turnout
Fixed with compulsory voting
2019 local election: Hardwick and Salters Lane 21%
Less legitimacy, participation and representation.
2001 general election: 59%
Direct
People make the decisions themselves.
Referendums
Advisory so
parliamentary > popular sovereignty
.
2016: EU membership
2014: Scottish independence
Petitions
Government don't need to respond
. Petitions Committee choose what is debated.
2017: Stop Trump's state visit. Debated and agreed to.
Revoke Article 50.
7+ million.
Went against referendum result. Conflicting types of direct democracy.
Government refused to debate.
Representative
House of Commons. Local councils. Regional assemblies.
Trustee model
People's opinions may be distorted or valued below party discipline.
Electorate elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Franchise
Extending
Future
Votes at 16
Already implemented in Scottish elections
Votes At 16 Coalition run by NUS
Julie Morgan PMB 2008 but failed
All major parties but Conservative support
Votes for Prisoners
John Hirst: can't deny human rights (he was convicted of manslaughter)
Women's Vote
Suffragettes
Direct action and militant methods possibly hindered progression and alienated them
Arrests and hunger strikes in prison
Urgency of right to vote
WSPU
Suffragists
Peaceful
Got bills into Parliament but none passed into law
Petitions
Landmarks
Early voting rules meant only wealthy, land-owning men could vote.
Great Reform Act 1832
Representation to urban areas eg. Manchester
Property still a requirement, excluding working class
Representation of the People Act 1918
Women: married, 30+, property
Men's voting age lowered to 21
Representation of the People Act 1928
Conservative government
Voting age equalised
Representation of the People Act 1969
Vote at 18
Labour government
Meaning the (amount of) people who can vote.
Rights
Pressure Groups
Aims
Influence policies
Normally narrow aims
Influence public attitudes
Don't aim to gain political office
Types
Insider
Contact with decision makers
Consulted on specific policy issues by government
Outside