| What is the Franchise? [Suffrage] | -This is the Right to Vote. This is given to All Adults with no Groups Excluded.
-If a System does Exclude citizens on Voting, then it is False to say it is Democratic |
| What are the Principles of UK Suffrage? | -Everyone over 18 can Vote in Elections, barring Prisoners, Insane People and the Monarch
-No Groups are Discriminated in Electoral Law
-Responsibility of Each Individual to Vote |
| Name some Forms of Political Participation | -Voting in Elections
-Joining a Trade Union or Party or a Pressure Group
-Becoming Active in a Party of Pressure Group
-Standing for Election
-Being apart of a Political Campaign Online or Physical
-Signing a Petition or E-Petition |
| Why may Turnout be Falling at Elections? | -Disillusionment with the Parties, Seen in younger People. Also less Commitment to Parties
-People caring more for Single Issues then Broad Policies
-Lack of Disintiction between the Parties since the 1990s
-Electoral System [FPTP] having Large Wasted Voted [Smaller Parties and Safe Seats] and Unequal Value [Marginal vs Safe]
-Emergence of Referendums [Direct Democracy?] |
| What is a Participation Crisis? | -Concerns that Fewer People are being Politically Active, leading to a Crisis in Democratic Legitimacy |
| In what Ways can the UK be described as having a Participation Crisis? (EX) | -67% in Turnout in 2019 - Down by 1.5% from 2017. Also is very below to the Levels of the 1970s [79%] [Parties less Distinct?]
-Only 1.7% are a Member of a Political Party
-Number of Private-Sector Employees in TU is 13%
-Taking 3 Mins to sign a Petition accounts to Huge Participation
-Many Members just pay Fees and do Naught |
| In what Ways can the UK be described as NOT having a Participation Crisis? (EX) | -2001 to 2017 saw GE Turnout Increase. Also 2019 GE might have fallen might have fallen due to Several Reasons [Timing done on December]
-Labour Party Membership rose Steadily after 2015 during Corbyn
-Union Membership risen for 4 Years to 2020
-40 Million People have signed an E-Petition on the 38 Degrees Website on 10K Campaigns.
-Fair Funding for Schools engages Teachers, Heads and Parents to Campaign against Education Cuts. [And 2022 Strikes] |
| What Exam Tip can be said about writing an Participation Crisis essay? | -Examiners want a Clear Decision, so little point arguing to ‘an extent’
-Instead you can be more Specific. For Example, there is a clear Crisis when it comes to Party Membership, but not when it comes to E-Petitions |
| Name some ways that Political Participation can be Improved | -Lowering the Voting Age
-Make Voting Compulsory
-Making use of Online Political Activity |
| What is Convenience Voting? | -Making it more Easier to vote, like Posting, Online or somewhere else other than the Polling Booth. |
| What are the Arguments for and against with Lowering the Voting Age
(EX) | A: 16-17 yr olds in Scotland and Wales already can Vote in Local and Regional Elections - Disparity
A: Youth turnout in the Scottish Independence had reached 80%
D: Young People don’t vote - only 47% voted in the 2019 Election 18-24 |
| What are the Arguments for and against making voting Compulsory
(EX) | A: Turnout will be very High - Gives high Legitimacy
A: Other Nations have Compulsory Voting - Australia
D: Voting is a given Right, not Duty
D: Ballot Papers may be Spoiled |
| What are the Arguments for and against allowing Online Voting (EX) | A: Estonia has Benefited from using it at 2005 - roughly 45% of the 2019 Election done via Online
A: It may Boost Turnout - Convenience Voting
D: May be at risk of Hacking and needs heavy Cybersecurity
D: Voting in Person already easier for Most People anyways |
| Give Exam Tip that helps with How to Improve Participation essay | -Do not simply Describe the Changes, but Explain why they may Work
-For Example, Estonias success with Online Voting may give the UK similar effects due to Voting been made Easier and more Accessible especially with the Youngsters |
