Democracy and Participation

Key dates in development of UK democracy:

1832: Representation of the people act (Great reform Act) extended the vote to all men who met property requirements, abolishing “rotten boroughs” allowing for better distribution of seats especially in area that had been controlled by a single powerful source. Increased electorate by 2/3, but only 6% of population could vote.
1867: Representation of the people act (second reform act) extended vote to all settled tenants (just the men) created a substantial, urban, working-class franchise.
1872: Ballot act introduces secret ballot.
1884: Representation of the people act (third reform) extended the franchise to rural and mining areas, addressed imbalance between men in an urban environment,
1918: Representation of the people act (extended) abolished property requirements for men and bringing women over 30-who met property qualifications- causing electorate to triple in size.
1928: Equal Franchise act (representation act) Voting age for women lowered and property qualifications abolished. Established Universal adult suffrage.
1969: Representation of the people act (extended) lowered voting to 18 for all.

How did women in the UK get the vote?

Suffragists

- Leader: Millicent Fawcett

- Membership: 50,000

- Tactics: Peaceful, raise issues in Parliament, petitions, letters, pamphlets. They wanted the public on their side as well as MPs

- Success: Got the issue into Parliament in the first place, had great support from members and capitalized when parliament was discussing changing law to include all men after the war, getting themselves into the conversation. Ultimately women got the vote on the same conditions as men, in 1928.

Suffragettes

- Leader: Emmeline Pankhurst

- Membership: 5,000

- Tactics: “deeds not words” embracing militant activism and civil disobedience including an assassination attempt and bombs meant to kill MPs, as well as smashing windows, cutting telephone wires and even, in Emily Davison’s case, throwing yourself in front of the kings horse

- Success: Many MPs thought their behavior and law breaking showed how women were unfit to vote, however they did bring a lot of press coverage and public attention to the issue, putting pressure on the government in a different way to the suffragists. Ultimately women got the vote under the same conditions as men in 1928.

The pressure from both groups coming from different angles helped women get the vote forced Parliament to change the law.
The first world war; women were committed to helping the war effort and many achieved great things in typically male dominated areas, thus causing many to think that women being granted the right to vote was inevitable in light of their contributions.

Participation and improving Democracy:

Participation crisis: notion that there’s a crisis in citizens involvement in processes aimed at influencing government and shaping politics, caused by lack of interest from a significant number. Creates a serious issue for democracy 🡪 undermines legitimacy.
Good Friday Agreement: ended 30 years of “troubles” between Republicans and Loyalists. Devolution settlement established a new parliament and gov. in N.I with power shared with parties from both sides.
Trade unions: Group of employees who join together to maintain and improve working conditions.
Direct Action: Political action that does not go through usual channels (Parliament) e.g protest aimed at forcing change.
Civil disobedience: Justified law breaking on the basis that is done to create a more just and equal society.
Democratic deficit: flaw in democratic process where decisions are made by people who lack legitimacy.
Constitution: set of rules and principles for a government within a state. Sets out relationship between parts of political system and also between gov. and people.
Initiative: Give people the power to propose new law or amend constitution, and then vote on it
Recall elections: Allows the voting public to trigger a special election to remove a representative before the next constitutional election.
Constituency: an area where voters elect an MP. 650 in UK
By-Election: take place when a seat in the commons becomes empty between elections.
Franchise/Suffrage: Right to vote in a public election.

How could UK democracy be improved?

Suggested reform	Explanation/advantages	Disadvantages
Referendums & Initiatives	People are more likely to be interested in politics and thus voter turnout increases. Voters can express views quickly. Initiatives give public more influence, avoiding reps failing to deliver. Both closely reflect will of the people	Theres already low voter turnout. Tyranny of majority Initiatives can become dominated by wealthy interest groups
Recall elections	Gives public more power to hold elected officials to account	In the UK, constituents can recall an MP if they have been found guilty of serious misconduct or criminal offence 🡪 quite restrictive. Tyranny of minority Used as protest against gov. or leaders, rather than MPs
Primary elections	Elections for an upcoming election, open to all in a constituency 🡪 open Aimes to take power away from party elite and give it to people, gives voters a say in candidate	Expensive Tends to have lower turnout. Can lead to extreme candidates being chosen
Lower voting age	Allows young people to have a say in their future. Gets young people involved in politics	16/17 year olds have fewer responsibilities and most don’t pay tax 16/17 year olds might not be informed or mature enough to vote Youth turnout is already low
Compulsory voting	Leads to higher turnout 🡪 people don’t want to be fined. Some argue its civic duty	People should be able to express opinion via not voting. Forcing uninformed or uninterested can lead to inaccurate results.
Digital democracy	Educated and informs. Offers more opportunity for participation. E-petitions can help scrutinize gov. Allows public to be more involved.	Digital divide Hackers pose a threat to elections

Pressure groups:

A group or organization that places pressure on government externally, they tend to have a large public profile and gain media attention.
- - The influence from outside government, they don’t make policy decisions but try and influence those who do. Often acts as a channel of communication between government and people.
  - Typically focus on one issue, or a narrow cluster of issues that fall under the umbrella of a larger problem, e.g. workers rights
  - United by a shared belief or common interests, therefore people with different ideologies and party preferences may work together as members as the same pressure group.
Interest groups: represent and defend the interests of a group (workers, ethnic or religious groups ect)
Peak groups: large group of businesses and unions
Cause groups: based on shared attitude or values rather than a common interest. Large range of cause groups (charity, poverty reduction, education, environment)
Insider groups: regularly consulted by gov. they work within the decision-making process. They use their influence rather than civil disobedience or direct actions #
Outsider group: Is not consulted by government and have no links to internal decision making. Usually try to influence via media, public opinion campaigns and protest politics.
Think tanks: group of experts who provide advice, ideas or proposals for problems. Using detailed evidence, links with politicians and the media, they can help shape polices. While they can lean left or right, most claim to be neutral.
Lobbyists: individuals or firms paid by a client to influence MPs of a Lord to act in that client’s interest, specifically when legislation is under consideration.