Politics Paper 1 Bible. (50-60ish Essays).
Must learn all!
10 essay plans democ participation.
next slides:
Should voting be compulsory ?
......YES- Increased participation.
e.g Australia had a declining voting turnout-60% 1924, however has remained a steady 90% since.
NO
-Violates individual freedoms- Therefore limiting validity behind vote.
-Worthless voting.
YES
Greater legitimacy- Labour 05 only had 22% of electorate, compulsory voting would sort out current
turnout crisis and increase legitimacy.
NO
Cosmetic democracy,
compulsory voting would not address deeper problems that account for declining political engagement
such as education.
YES-
Stronger social justice - atm 69% of people with a degree vote and 59% of people without a degree vote.
By ensuring compulsory voting there wouldn't be any unfair representation of views for certain social
groups within society and would therefore increase engagement of lower class and ethnic minority
voters.
NO
Compulsory voting could possibly lead to a distorted political focus, as those who are not engaged with
politics usually such as the unemployed may be targeted by Far right. Therefore it may be argued that
compulsory voting would limit stability in the UK.
Prisoners able to vote ?
NO:
Prisoners should not be able to vote: reasons w evidance.
Cameron- idea of prisoners voting made him feel 'physically ill'
,Cross party agreement on the issue since 1970.
''If you break the law, you cannot make the law''
YES
-Ban on prisoners voting undermines the principle of voting equality. This view may be supported by
complaints from 'National association of ex-offenders.''
-Voting is a fundamental right. protected in the law by HRA 1998. Therefore denying prisoners the right
to vote is limiting their Human rights, dictators are associated with preventing rights.
-Legal support from judiciary- Hurst ruling 2005.
-Currently 18 countries in the Europe allow prisoners to Vote. (UK behind!)
Should Franchise be extended to 16/17yr olds ?
Should Franchise be extended to 16/17yr olds ? Arguments for
YES- Would increase participation.
Scottish Independence Referendum - 81% included 16 and 17 year olds and its estimated that 16/17
year olds had 75% higher participation than 18-24year olds.
YES- Young people have many civil responsibilities
-Tax, army, marriage, sex, yet lack the civil right of being able to vote.
This illustrates a clear lack of democracy.
YES-Irrational cut off age.
This may be supported by the fact that there are many young people already involved in politics.
600 in youth parliament and 20,000 young people in council groups.
Should Franchise be extended to 16/17yr olds ? Arguments against
ADD STATS AND CONCRETE FACTS TO SUPPORT POINTS!! URGENT//ESSENTIAL.
NO-Critics argue that 16/17 yrs young are nieve and easily mislead. Therefore may be argued that
granting young people the vote would lead to political instabilty.
NO-16/17yrs lack knowledge and experience as they're still in education.
NO- Critics argue that it limits childhood experience.
Is the UK suffering from a participation crisis ?
, Is the U.K suffering from a participation crisis ? YES/COUNTER
YES-
Participation is very low-
1945 - 1992 avrg turnout- above 75%
2001- 59%
Illustrates a clear decline.
NO
-Opportunity to vote has increased following devolution 1998 and there has been increased voting
within devolved bodies, often having similar level turnout to general election. This suggests voting
participation has increased in Scotland.
YES
-Turnout with degree = 69% vs turnout those without degree = 59%
-Turnout crisis amongst C1DE voters, apathy reflecting the inequality and exclusion within society.
NO
-Referendums have high turnout!
-BREXIT- 72%
-Scottish Independence 2014 - 85%
YES
-Low turnout Referendums- Ldn mayor referendum had turnout of 33% (very low)
YES
-Pressure groups challenging traditional forms of Representation.
NO
Party membership increased from 2013 onwards!
e.g Huge increase in Lab party membership under Corbyn, particularly amongst young.
NO PPTION ISSUE- PPL WILLING TP GET STUCK IN.
Will Reform enhance democracy in the UK? (30)
Must learn all!
10 essay plans democ participation.
next slides:
Should voting be compulsory ?
......YES- Increased participation.
e.g Australia had a declining voting turnout-60% 1924, however has remained a steady 90% since.
NO
-Violates individual freedoms- Therefore limiting validity behind vote.
-Worthless voting.
YES
Greater legitimacy- Labour 05 only had 22% of electorate, compulsory voting would sort out current
turnout crisis and increase legitimacy.
NO
Cosmetic democracy,
compulsory voting would not address deeper problems that account for declining political engagement
such as education.
YES-
Stronger social justice - atm 69% of people with a degree vote and 59% of people without a degree vote.
By ensuring compulsory voting there wouldn't be any unfair representation of views for certain social
groups within society and would therefore increase engagement of lower class and ethnic minority
voters.
NO
Compulsory voting could possibly lead to a distorted political focus, as those who are not engaged with
politics usually such as the unemployed may be targeted by Far right. Therefore it may be argued that
compulsory voting would limit stability in the UK.
Prisoners able to vote ?
NO:
Prisoners should not be able to vote: reasons w evidance.
Cameron- idea of prisoners voting made him feel 'physically ill'
,Cross party agreement on the issue since 1970.
''If you break the law, you cannot make the law''
YES
-Ban on prisoners voting undermines the principle of voting equality. This view may be supported by
complaints from 'National association of ex-offenders.''
-Voting is a fundamental right. protected in the law by HRA 1998. Therefore denying prisoners the right
to vote is limiting their Human rights, dictators are associated with preventing rights.
-Legal support from judiciary- Hurst ruling 2005.
-Currently 18 countries in the Europe allow prisoners to Vote. (UK behind!)
Should Franchise be extended to 16/17yr olds ?
Should Franchise be extended to 16/17yr olds ? Arguments for
YES- Would increase participation.
Scottish Independence Referendum - 81% included 16 and 17 year olds and its estimated that 16/17
year olds had 75% higher participation than 18-24year olds.
YES- Young people have many civil responsibilities
-Tax, army, marriage, sex, yet lack the civil right of being able to vote.
This illustrates a clear lack of democracy.
YES-Irrational cut off age.
This may be supported by the fact that there are many young people already involved in politics.
600 in youth parliament and 20,000 young people in council groups.
Should Franchise be extended to 16/17yr olds ? Arguments against
ADD STATS AND CONCRETE FACTS TO SUPPORT POINTS!! URGENT//ESSENTIAL.
NO-Critics argue that 16/17 yrs young are nieve and easily mislead. Therefore may be argued that
granting young people the vote would lead to political instabilty.
NO-16/17yrs lack knowledge and experience as they're still in education.
NO- Critics argue that it limits childhood experience.
Is the UK suffering from a participation crisis ?
, Is the U.K suffering from a participation crisis ? YES/COUNTER
YES-
Participation is very low-
1945 - 1992 avrg turnout- above 75%
2001- 59%
Illustrates a clear decline.
NO
-Opportunity to vote has increased following devolution 1998 and there has been increased voting
within devolved bodies, often having similar level turnout to general election. This suggests voting
participation has increased in Scotland.
YES
-Turnout with degree = 69% vs turnout those without degree = 59%
-Turnout crisis amongst C1DE voters, apathy reflecting the inequality and exclusion within society.
NO
-Referendums have high turnout!
-BREXIT- 72%
-Scottish Independence 2014 - 85%
YES
-Low turnout Referendums- Ldn mayor referendum had turnout of 33% (very low)
YES
-Pressure groups challenging traditional forms of Representation.
NO
Party membership increased from 2013 onwards!
e.g Huge increase in Lab party membership under Corbyn, particularly amongst young.
NO PPTION ISSUE- PPL WILLING TP GET STUCK IN.
Will Reform enhance democracy in the UK? (30)
