3. A-Level Politics - Participation

Organize these methods of political participation into electoral or non-electoral

Groups:

(a) Electoral

,

(b) Non-electoral

• Working in a campaign office

• Signing a petition

• Joining a political party

• Writing to an MP

• Protesting / demonstrating

• Joining a pressure group

• Delivering leaflets

• Voting

• Canvassing - door-to-door / telephone / emails

• Standing for election

• Campaigning for a political party

• Acting as a political representative

• Boycotting a product / company

• Attending political meetings

Answer explanation

This one can be tricky but remember only activities that involve an election are electoral. Being a member of a political party isn't an electoral form of participation, but campaigning for them would be.

Which age group is least likely to vote?

• Young people
  (18-29)

• Thirty somethings
  (30-39)

• Middle aged
  (40-64)

• Over 65s

Answer explanation

Sadly there is a clear correlation between age and voting. Young people are far less likely to vote than pensioners.

Which class is least likely to vote?

• Working Class

• Middle Class

• Upper Class

Answer explanation

Similar to age there is a clear correlation between social class and your likelihood to vote. The more you earn / the higher class you belong to, the more likely you are to vote.

Which country did we discuss in lesson that enforces compulsory voting

• New Zealand

• Canada

• USA

• Australia

• South Africa

Answer explanation

In some countries such as Australia it is a legal requirement to not only register but to vote (cast a ballot).

The Commonwealth Act (1918) amended in 1924 made voting at federal elections compulsory.

The Act states that;

“It shall be the duty of every elector to vote at each election.’ Those non voters who cannot supply a ‘valid and sufficient reason for their failure to cast a ballot are subject to a small fine.”

Organize these arguments about compulsory voting into the right categories.

Groups:

(a) Arguments for compulsory voting

,

(b) Arguments against compulsory voting

• Voters can spoil their ballot if you do not like any of the candidates

• It would increase the number of ill informed voters

• Voting is a civic duty

• Parties would have to appeal to the whole public

• It increases political participation

• Parliament will be more reflective of the electorate

• It would cost money and take time to investigate why people didn't vote

• It could increase the number of spoilt ballots

• It could increase the number of 'safe seats' so parties only focus on marginal ones

• It is undemocratic

Should the UK introduce compulsory voting to combat the decline in political participation?

• Yes

• No

Low turnout in elections is a problem because it calls into question the governments...

Answer explanation

One example of this was In 2005.

the Labour Party secured a commons majority of 65 with the support of only 35.2% of the 61.4% of eligible voters who turned out to vote.

This is equivalent to 21.6% of the electorate (those eligible to vote) as such some questioned how they could possibly speak for 'the majority'.

Does participation matter?
Yes - it is ultimate the people who must hold ministers to ​ (a)   , greater participation reduces the likelihood of ​ (b)   getting elected, and without opportunities for participation we risk alienating some ​ (c)   groups.
No - there are other ways for people to participate outside of ​ (d)   , for most people politics is simply not a ​ (e)   , and there is little to be done to make people vote.

• account
• extremists
• social
• elections
• priority
• moderates
• political
• referendums