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Democracy and Participation - Coggle Diagram
Democracy and Participation
Participation Crisis
- A situation where a large proportion of the population do not engage with the political process, for example not voting in the election.
Voting:
1997 - 71.4% voter turnout
2010 - 65.1% voter turnout
2017 - 68.7% voter turnout
In 2019 the majority did not vote (15.5 million)
Devolved bodies:
In 2016 there was a 27% increase in participation in the Police and crime commissioner election.
Police and crime commissioner elections in 2012 saw there lowest turnout ever.
Lucy Powell won the 2012 Manchester election where only 18.9% of people voted.
Party membership:
Only 1.6% of the population belong to a major party.
SNP membership has dropped 2.5% in 2021.
Pressure groups:
Increase in pressure groups and social campaigns, the national trust had 0.5 million members in 1975 and now has over 4 million.
Democratic Deficit
- When democratic organisations do not fulfil the principles of democracy in how they operate.
Are these things democratic or not?
Referendums
People are given the right to vote freely.
There are only two options, the minority receive nothing when they loose.
Elections
Everyone gets a say - reinforces the idea of legitimacy.
People who are elected aren't deligates so they don't have to listen to what their constituency say.
Pressure Groups
In a pluralistic democracy they are important as they don't give all the power to government - many are internally democratic.
Many pressure groups lack legitimacy.
Evaluate the view that democratic legitimacy in the UK is being threatened by a participation crisis.
Point 2 - Lack in participation can be due to lack of trust in MPs. In 2016 only 21% said they believed in them. Loacl support going down (Lucy Powell).
Point 3 - Party membership is low, tory membership has decreased by 250k in the past 30 years.
Point 1 - 2001 and 2005 saw lowest turnout since 1918 (59% and 61%). Despite the rise (69% in 2017) 30% still suggests a participation crisis.
Arguments for Reform
Should there be compulsory voting?
Yes:
Voter turnout will increase and stop the current participation crisis.
Everyone's opinion is listened to and no one is excluded.
No:
Violates personal freedom and personal rights.
Could increase the amount of donkey votes. (Don't really vote for what they belive in, just do whatever).
Should there be digital democracy?
Yes:
Likely to solve the participation crisis. Would help to increase the participation of younger generations.
Political education - internet political debate boosts political education, as does participation in e-petitions.
Digital referendums on specific issues could be held regularly, this would require a much lower cost.
No:
People can be lazy and forget/may not be bothered to vote. Also increases the chance for hacking and electoral fraud.
Voting should require a little more effort than texting a number/vote. This would make it be treated more like an online competition.
Political equality is important. Some may not have access to the internet which would lead to political inequalities.
Pressure Groups
Insider:
Work closely with government departments.
Advise government when it comes to policy making.
Examples include, Farmers union and BMA.
BMA recently in 2023 went on strike over payment issues - causing a large disrupt.
Focus on specific issues.
Farmers union has over 55000 members (2/3) of all agriculture in Britain.
Outsider:
Examples include Green peace.
2023: Historic UN Global Ocean Treaty agreed
2020: New petrol and diesel cars banned - 10 years early
Do not have any specific contact and usually use rallies/demonstrations to get their point across.
Effectiveness:
It can be argued that the effectiveness of a pressure group determines on the amount of attention they receive through the media.
Insulate Britain blocked the M25 in 2021 and gained national media coverage.