Democracy and Participation

Democracy and Participation

1. Forms of Democracy

   • Direct
     • Purest form of democracy
     • Practiced in ancient greece
     • avoid delay and deadlock in the political system
     • has great legitimacy
     • Tyranny of the majority- the winning majority ignored interest of the minority
     • People easily swayed by short term, emotional choices
     • Some issues are too complex
     • gives equal weight to votes unlike representative where constituencies are different sizes
   • Representative
     • The people choose representatives to make decisions for them
     • ensures that interests of all sections of society are taken into account
       • Minorities still maybe underrepresented
     • people are now held accountable and scrutinised for decisions made
     • representatives use knowledge and judgement and do not allow emotions to construct decisions
     • implement direct democracy with Referendums
     • Politicians can be corrupt and betray election promises

2. Assessment of democracy in the UK

   • Free elections
     • Nearly everyone over the age of 18 can vote. Little electoral fraud and strong legal safeguards
     • House of Lords and Monarch not elected
   • Fair elections
     • proportional systems in place for Scotland, Wales and NI
     • FPTP leads to disproportional results and wasted votes. UNDERREPRESENTATION
   • Widespread Participation
     • extensive membership of pressure groups- free and active. increased participation in e-democracy
     • Voter turnout and party activism remain low despite little increase in turnout at 2017 general election.
   • Freedom of expression
     • free media challenging government policies and misdeeds of politicians
     • Much ownership of the press is in the hands of a few powerful companies such as News International
   • independent judiciary - separate branches of government and upholds the rule of law
   • House of Lords democratic legitimacy- many are not voted 1/3 hereditary and 2/3 appointed by success

3. Democratic Defecit?

   • People believe their demands are not being met
   • Low turnout at elections
     • Compulsory voting like Australia, e-voting has caused an increase
       • voting is a social duty and right, ppl engage with he process
       • produces a more representative parliament
       • undemocratic for people to take part in something that should be choice
       • leads to ranking of candidates not who they actually believe in
   • falling party membership
     • 1950 cons had 2.8m , 2007 0.25m

4. Extending the Franchise?

   • Who CANT vote
     • under 18
       • Labour wants votes for 16 yr olds
         • 75% of 16-17 yr olds in Scottish referendum voted
         • other legal rights given to us; start work, joined armed forces, have sex, get medical treatment
         • Lack of life experience and views determined by their parents
         • Rights limited in practice, 16yr olds need permission to marry and not allare in full time employment
     • Prisoners
     • people detained in psychiatric hospitals
   • How was it previously extended
     • Great reform act 1832
       • abolished representation of rotten boroughs and gave new seats for city areas. Middle class could vote
     • Representation of the People 1928
       • equal franchise, both sexes could vote at 21
     • Representation of the People 1969
       • voting age 18