1.1 UK Democracy
Representative + Direct Democracy
DD Advantages
- equal votes
- responsibility
- community
- participation
DD Disadvantages
- TOTM
- impractical
- uninformed voter
- demagogues
RD Advantages
- practical
- expertise
- pluralism
- minority voice
- accountable
RD Disadvantages
- elitism
- apathy
- influence of the majority
- infrequent elections
- corruption
Democratic Deficit
Strengths of UK System
- devolution
- independent judiciary
- free + fair elections
- free media
Weaknesses
- elite media
- house of lords legitimacy
- MP scandals
- FPTP
- human rights protections (derogation)
- political + legal sovereignty in NI (NI Protocol)
NI Protocol
- still within EU free market
- follows
Participation Crisis
yes
- (h)apathy
- voter turnout
* 76% unmatched
* @@2022 local election turnout: 33.6%@@ (second order)
* West Lancashire By-Election turnout: 31.4% - distrust of MPs
- party membership
* 1.5% electorate belongs to three main parties (3.8% 1983)
* Labour: 432000
* Conservatives: 172000
* SNP: 104000
* Lib Dems: 74000
no
- rise of social media activism + e-petitions (alt methods to trad.)
- turnout spikes on national issues e.g. 72% EU ref
- recent strike action (e.g. RMT, BMA, RCN + NEU + Border Force)
* junior doctor strikes 13th-16th March 2023 - inc. turnout for PCC: 15% 2012 - 33% 2021
Improving UK System
- stop media moguls owning multiple outlets
- compulsory + e-voting
- reduce voting age
- proportional Westminster elections
- elected HoL
Compulsory Voting
for
- participation
- abstain option
- duty/right
- mandate
- broader political campaign
against
- immoral
- rote/donkey voting
- \