Democracy and Participation: Suffrage-Evidence/examples

-people only have to obey laws they make themselves
-encourages political education (30% never discuss politics in uk)
-removes public dependancy on proffesional politicians, increasing public trust
-helps to ensure political stability and legitimacy as decisions are made by the people

-unworkable in modern societies, unable to achieve high level of face to face interaction like the athenians achieved
-makes it a job for all, in contrast to athenians limited universal rights and small electorate
-big issues dont have easy or clear solutions
-it will be difficult for the losers to see the political choice as legitimate.

-a practical solution to the problem of popular rule in large societies
-relieved of day to day decision making, simply have to choose who to govern
-politicians can govern people using superior understanding and act in the publics interest
-apathy is helpful for decision making, people are less passionate and commited, ensuring poltical stability

-political apathy as citizens feel powerless (47% feel they have no influence over decision making)
-Effective political understanding decreases (30% never discuss politics with others)
-political class may not be socially representative of the wider public (2019, 63% felt political system was rigged at the advantage of rich and powerful)
-people feel increasingly disengaged from politics (satisfaction with system is 25% in 2019 hansard audit.

-turnout/participation is on the rise (59% in 2001, 69% in 2017)
-since 1979, a widening in the number of voting oportunities (devolved assemblies-N ireland, scotland and wales)
-increased use of referendums with high turnout (85% in 2014 scottish independence)

-decrease in voter turnout (59% in 2001, lowest since 1918)
-electorate is unrepresentative of society (2019 turnout with degrees and above was 69%)
-turnout in devolved assemblies is low, voter fatigue because too many opportunities
-low turnout in referendums (33% on creation of london mayor assemly)

-ressurgence in party membership for green and SNP since 2013
-rise in quality of participation (parties now give members greater input on policy and ability to vote for party leader)

-mass membership has seriously declined (conservative membership-2.8mill in 1953 to 180000 in 2019
-political parties no longer reflect modern UK, focussing on out of date class structures

-explosion in number of charities (4.5 mill members of 139 environmental groups in 2013)

-decline in trade union movement (13.2 members in 1979 to 6.23 memebers in 2016

-emerge quickly in response to issues (BLM protests in 2020)

-challenging traditional politics of using elections, parties and parliament can reduce legitimacy

-allows individuals to express their preference, engaging people in politics in new ways

-individual actions are no replacement for higher levels of political participation

-support for wider use of referendums (in 2019 55% agreed that imprtant questions should be resolved by referendums
-greater popular control over legislation if citizens can initaite referendums using petitions

-suspicion gov will only call referendums on issues they support and are confident on winning
-increased referendums may lead to voter fatigue and apathy, especially as turnout is already low

-give public direct control over making law, removes the need for an elected politician

-majority could undermine rights of minority groups (swiss voters banned the construction of minarets in 2009, curbing the religious practices of musims)

-comes up with concrete solutions, reinforcing representative democracy

-need for a clear question, sufficient time, large budget and political will
-already ways for politicians to understand views of the public (opinion polls and social media)

-between 2015 and 2020 three recall petions were opened, two were succesfull
-widening of criteria for recall would strengthen MP and contituents link, allowing more accountability

-removes ability for MPs to think for themselves, would become mouthpeices for contituents
-MPs would fear a recall election would be triggered by supporters of opposing parties

-in 2019, 9 mill who were elligible to vote were not correctly registered
-change to automatic voter registration supported by the house of commons political and constitutional reform comitte in 2014

-cost of automatic voter registration and concerns around security and fraud

-weekend rather than weekday voting (turnout 10% higher in countries that hold weekend elections)
-introduce online voting (85% of students at sheffield uni said they were more likely to vote if it was online)
-compulsary voting would increase legitimacy and engagement
-reducing voting age to 16 would increase voter turnout in long term
-changing the system from FPTP would create more proportional representation
-wider institutional reform would enhance democracy

-move to weekend voting would involve additional costs
-online voting would have risks of electoral fraud
-interest in politics for 16 year olds could be low
-FPTF is simple and embeded in uk political culture
-wide ranging institutional reform can create further issues in democracy

-members of the house of lords
-anyone other than british, irish and qualifying commonwealth citizens
-prisoners
-anyone found guilty of corrupt or illegal practices within last 5 years

-minimum age for activities like paying direct tax, having sexual relationships and getting married is lower than 18
-lack of political representation for young, views and interests are ignored
-would stimulate fresher thinking on issues
-re-engage voters by strengthening understanding and riorentate politics around more meaningful issues for younger voters
-ignores the rise in edecational standards, no restrictions are applied to politically ignorant adults

-educational development remains incomplete, until 18 many still in education and live with parents
-their representation is only delayed, 18 yr olds are in touch with interests of 16-17 yr olds
-turnout rates may decline if 16-17 yr olds decide not to vote
-erodes childhood and forces adult responsibility and choises on younger people

-Uks participation crisis would be resolved as turnout rates increase
-results would rest on a popular majority, not just an electoral majority and strengthen legitimacy
-wider educational implications
-voluntary voting disadvantages the most vunerable elements in society who are less likely to vote

-a violation of individual freedom
-would not address the deeper problems that account for accelerating decline in political engagement
-would increase the number of randoom and unthinking votes and may intensify negative attitudes to democracy
-more likely to choose extremist parties if disengaded individuals are forced to vote