Is there a Participation Crisis in
the UK
Arguments for and Against-
Summary which can be used to
construct essays
Why is Political participation so crucial in a liberal democracy
High and committed levels of police participation are needed for a healthy liberal
democracy to thrive if the people are passive and don’t go to show their discontent with
government action then there will be no checks or balances and this may lead to abuses
of power. Active political participation ensures that elected representatives are carrying
out their representative functions and this keeps decision-making regulated
Participation crisis refers to when there has been a substantial decrease in the number
of people engaging in politics which in the future if not improved could lead to a crisis
undermining the UK stance on being a liberal democracy
There are 5 areas which should be mentioned to cover all the elements and ensure that
the highest marks are achieved:
1. Turnout
2. Membership in political parties
3. Referendums
4. Online petitions
5. Social media
Turnout
1. There is a crisis
* Compared to previous years, there has been a substantial decrease in the
number of people turning up to vote. For example, in 1992 it was 77.7% whereas
in the 2019 GN, it was 67.3%
* Another problematic election turnout was in 2001 when it dipped to 59.4%
2. There isn’t a crisis
* Except for the 2001 election voter turnout has consistently been above 65%
* Compared to other countries, the UK still has a higher turnout
* France- 2012- turnout was 55.4%
* USA-2012- turnout was 59.4%
* UK- 2015- turnout was 66.1%- this shows that even though there is a
disproportional pluralist system people are still voting thus there is no crisis
the UK
Arguments for and Against-
Summary which can be used to
construct essays
Why is Political participation so crucial in a liberal democracy
High and committed levels of police participation are needed for a healthy liberal
democracy to thrive if the people are passive and don’t go to show their discontent with
government action then there will be no checks or balances and this may lead to abuses
of power. Active political participation ensures that elected representatives are carrying
out their representative functions and this keeps decision-making regulated
Participation crisis refers to when there has been a substantial decrease in the number
of people engaging in politics which in the future if not improved could lead to a crisis
undermining the UK stance on being a liberal democracy
There are 5 areas which should be mentioned to cover all the elements and ensure that
the highest marks are achieved:
1. Turnout
2. Membership in political parties
3. Referendums
4. Online petitions
5. Social media
Turnout
1. There is a crisis
* Compared to previous years, there has been a substantial decrease in the
number of people turning up to vote. For example, in 1992 it was 77.7% whereas
in the 2019 GN, it was 67.3%
* Another problematic election turnout was in 2001 when it dipped to 59.4%
2. There isn’t a crisis
* Except for the 2001 election voter turnout has consistently been above 65%
* Compared to other countries, the UK still has a higher turnout
* France- 2012- turnout was 55.4%
* USA-2012- turnout was 59.4%
* UK- 2015- turnout was 66.1%- this shows that even though there is a
disproportional pluralist system people are still voting thus there is no crisis
