Democracy and participation

• UKs EU referendum

  turnout- 72.2%

  voted to leave- 52%

  decision made by- 37.7%
• stonewall

  formed to oppose section 28, insider with Blair so influenced equalising age of consent and ban on gays in the armed forces, outsider with conservatives over ban on conversion therapy excluding trans people
• Lobbying examples

  Major and cash for questions, Berni Ecclestone (formula 1 smoking), David Cameron and Greensill capital
• Examples of think tank influence

  universal credit benefits system propsed by the centre for social justice and implemented by the coalition, Adam smith institute influenced Thatchers policies
• which pressure groups did the Green party, Labour party, and UKIP emerge from?

  British ecology movement, Trade union, Anti-federalist league
• Benefits of democracy

  establish and protect freedoms, controls gov power, encourage participation
• Criticisms of democracy

  can remove rights with consent, tyranny of majority, parliamentary sovereignty means gov aren't controlled, participation periodic
• legislative success of pressure groups

  coutryside alliance watered down ban on fox hunting, ASH achieved smoking ban
• pressure groups help democracy

  pluralism, participation, relieve tension
• pressure groups hinder democracy

  elitism, distort info, civil disobedience
• when has gov taken away rights

  DORA WW1, covid, IRA 1970s
• Unelected parts of UK parliment

  House of lords-800 members (second largest legislative chamber in the world, but not voted in)
• which think tank helped truss

  iea
• UK general election turnout

  59% in 2001

  69% in 2017

  67% in 2019
• Voter fraud

  Only 2 convictions between 2010-2018

  2015-2019, only 8 allegations
• voted conservative in 2019

  43.6%
• FPTP issues- SNP

  2015- SNP got 50% of the vote, but 95% of seats
• Hansard survey 2019

  18% think we can change how the countries run

  47% think they have no influence

  53% haven't participated in online politics in the last year
• not a participation crisis

  pressure group healthy, digital democracy, devolved elections and referendums
• Memberships as on 8/22

  labour-0.9% of the electorate

  conservative-0.4% of the electorate
• Scottish independence referendum turnout

  84.6%
• Compulsory voting in Australia

  90% voter turnout

  80% like it

  5% of ballot papers spoilt
• 1832 Great Reform Act

  gave 5% of people the vote
• 1918 Representation of the People Act

  All men over 21 and women over 30 enfranchised. 75% of adult population can vote
• 1928 Equal Franchise Act

  everyone >21
• 1969 Representation of the People Act

  Voting age reduced to 18
• Voter ID 2013

  3.8 million didn't vote
• direct democracy

  Allindividuals express their opinion themselvesand not through representatives acting on their behalf. This type of democracy emerged in Athens in classical times and this can be seen today in referendums.
• Pluralist democracy

  A type of democracy in which agovernment makes decisions as a result of the interplay of various ideas and contrasting argumentsfrom competing groups and organisations.
• Petitions committee

  need 100,000 signatures, they then decide if it has already been debated and if it should again
• Representative democracy

  A more modern form of democracy through which anindividual selects a person (and/or political party) to act on their behalfto exercise political choice.
• Parliamentary Democracy

  Form of government in whichpeople vote for the legislative body, which in turn selects the prime minister.
• Legitimacy

  The rightful use of power in accordance with pre-set criteria or widely held agreements, such as a government's right to rule following an election or a monarch's succession based on the agreed rules.
• Democratic deficit

  A flaw in the democratic process wheredecisions are taken by people who lack legitimacy, not having been appointed with sufficient democratic input or subject to accountability
• Participation crisis

  Alack of engagementby a significant number of citizens to relate to the political process either by choosing not to vote or to join or become members of political parties or to offer themselves for public office.
• Franchise / suffrage

  These both refer to the ability/right to vote in public elections. Suffragettes were women campaigning for the right to vote on the same terms as men.
• Pressure Groups

  These are associations whose purpose it is to promote a particular cause or sector of society in order to effect changes in the law. They do this by influencing government, the public or both, and as such have a strong influence on public opinion and voting behaviour.
• Sectional/interest pressure groups

  Groups that represent a particular section in society. Trade Unions are a good example - e.g.the NEU (National Education Union). They promote the interests of a particular section of society. For example, Age UK promotes the interests of the elderly.
• Causal / Promotional Pressure groups and SMs

  Groups seeking to promote a particular issue or cause. For example,Friends of the Earthcampaigns for environmental protection. They can also be broadly based, fairly informal movements that emerges, sometimes rapidly, around a particular issue or cause. For example,Plane Stupidemerged in 2005 to campaign against airport expansion.
• Dual Function Pressure Groups

  Some pressure groups fulfil both sectional and cause-based functions. For example, theCountryside Alliance represents people who live in rural areas (sectional), but also campaigns for a better quality of life in the countryside, which can benefit us all (cause). Others can exist as both pressure groups and charities