1. Political Participation
Who Participates and Why?

2. Definition…… Political Participation
Citizen involvement in Politics, aimed at influencing Government and Public Policy

3. Questions for you….
What are the main ways you can participate in Politics?
What proportion of the population are actively involved?
Why have the numbers participating fallen over recent decades?

4. Participation is central to Democracy….is this true?
A fully participatory democracy is not feasible in a Liberal Democracy
Political decision making is undertaken by an elite
Publics role is to simply elect this elite

5. %
Graph showing % of Population voting in General Elections.

6. So what’s the situation?
Don’t forget the figures are much lower for Local and European elections
However, whilst numbers voting, those involved in Parties fall, the numbers joining Pressure Groups are rising fast….Why?

7. Need to break these down…
Activists – Those actively involved
Just Voters – Basically passive, but many discuss issues, read newspapers and watch political programs
Almost inactive – 41% of non-voters in 2001, disproportionate amount of young people

8. So who are these crazy kids who actually participate?
Wealth and Education have a massive influence
Graduates are more likely to have written to MPs, been on a demo etc.
Basically those with strong values or opinions

9. Falling electoral turnouts – Complete the table….
Cause
Losing interest in Low-Tech methods
Voting stations are inconveniently located
Disillusioned with limited choice
Tactical Voting
Disillusioned with party politics
Alienated by meaningless Representative Democracy
Cure
Solution?

10. Can Individual People influence results?
Do Individual votes count?
Do individual votes influence those in power
Do individuals have the capacity to change laws? – Animal Rights vs Countryside Alliance

11. New Politics of participation
Fuel Blockade
Storming House of Commons
Climbing Buckingham Palace
Can you think of 5 arguments for and 5 arguments against direct action?

12. Confused situation…. Globalisation Racial / Cultural diversity
Gender Politics
Multi-level Governance
Who runs this country anyway??