Participation crisis essay
The United Kingdom runs under a representative democracy therefore
participation is vital regarding political issues as the views of the public need to
be reflected by the elected representatives including MPs. A participation crisis is
when a large population does not vote or engage in the political process.
Whether the UK is in a participation crisis can be decided by voter turnout,
political party membership and trade union power, all of which will be discussed
throughout this essay. Other components may be mentioned such as the decline
of collective power or Partisan dealignment. This essay will argue that there is not
a participation crisis but the way people voice their opinions and vote is
changing.
Voter turnout is the number or percentage of citizens whom voted by casting a
ballot in any number of numerous elections or referendums. Currently, the most
used way to participate in politics today as any citizen over eighteen who is
eligible can vote this way. Over the years voter turnout has been seen to be
decreasing. In 1950 the turnout for the general election was 83.9% which can be
seen as the general election with the highest voter turnout in the history of the
UK. Unfortunately, it has greatly decreased since 1950 with 71.5% being the voter
turnout in 1997 and it further decreased by 2001 where the turnout was 59.4%.
These statistics support the theory that the UK is in a participation crisis as it
has decreased over the years. This is significant as it highlights the variation in
turnout concerning disillusionment and gender. The voter turnout significantly
shows how many citizens feel disillusioned by the government. This can be
supported by the Survation study that found a large percentage of the people
who did not vote in 2015 did so because their values and beliefs were not
represented by any of the parties or candidates. Disillusionment with politicians
has also increased since the 2009 expenses scandal. Turnout also highlights the
lack of female representation in the UK’s political system. This is evidenced by a
recent study that came out showing that 2.5% fewer women voted in the 2017
election. However, the turnout may have decreased quite a large amount recently
it has been seen trending upwards. This can be supported by the 2005 and 2010
elections as in 2005 it was 61.4% however in 2010 it was 65.1% showing a slight but
sure increase in the turnout. This is again reflected in the 2017 election where it
was 68.8% turnout. Furthermore, this is not the first time many have thought the
UK was in a participation crisis but the turnout has trended upwards. For
example, in 1979, the turnout was 76% then it decreased to 72.7% in 1983 however
then it increased to 75.3% This is significant as it shows that turnout fluctuates
and it does not necessarily mean there is a participation crisis including the
emphasis on the theory that the UK is not in a participation crisis but the way
people live and vote is changing. The UK also had a huge increase in turnout at
the Brexit referendum with a total of 72.2% of the population participating in 2016.
This is significant because it shows that citizens are participating in and gaining
The United Kingdom runs under a representative democracy therefore
participation is vital regarding political issues as the views of the public need to
be reflected by the elected representatives including MPs. A participation crisis is
when a large population does not vote or engage in the political process.
Whether the UK is in a participation crisis can be decided by voter turnout,
political party membership and trade union power, all of which will be discussed
throughout this essay. Other components may be mentioned such as the decline
of collective power or Partisan dealignment. This essay will argue that there is not
a participation crisis but the way people voice their opinions and vote is
changing.
Voter turnout is the number or percentage of citizens whom voted by casting a
ballot in any number of numerous elections or referendums. Currently, the most
used way to participate in politics today as any citizen over eighteen who is
eligible can vote this way. Over the years voter turnout has been seen to be
decreasing. In 1950 the turnout for the general election was 83.9% which can be
seen as the general election with the highest voter turnout in the history of the
UK. Unfortunately, it has greatly decreased since 1950 with 71.5% being the voter
turnout in 1997 and it further decreased by 2001 where the turnout was 59.4%.
These statistics support the theory that the UK is in a participation crisis as it
has decreased over the years. This is significant as it highlights the variation in
turnout concerning disillusionment and gender. The voter turnout significantly
shows how many citizens feel disillusioned by the government. This can be
supported by the Survation study that found a large percentage of the people
who did not vote in 2015 did so because their values and beliefs were not
represented by any of the parties or candidates. Disillusionment with politicians
has also increased since the 2009 expenses scandal. Turnout also highlights the
lack of female representation in the UK’s political system. This is evidenced by a
recent study that came out showing that 2.5% fewer women voted in the 2017
election. However, the turnout may have decreased quite a large amount recently
it has been seen trending upwards. This can be supported by the 2005 and 2010
elections as in 2005 it was 61.4% however in 2010 it was 65.1% showing a slight but
sure increase in the turnout. This is again reflected in the 2017 election where it
was 68.8% turnout. Furthermore, this is not the first time many have thought the
UK was in a participation crisis but the turnout has trended upwards. For
example, in 1979, the turnout was 76% then it decreased to 72.7% in 1983 however
then it increased to 75.3% This is significant as it shows that turnout fluctuates
and it does not necessarily mean there is a participation crisis including the
emphasis on the theory that the UK is not in a participation crisis but the way
people live and vote is changing. The UK also had a huge increase in turnout at
the Brexit referendum with a total of 72.2% of the population participating in 2016.
This is significant because it shows that citizens are participating in and gaining
