Useful Links

I'l be posting some links here that will be helpful for examples and references for our AS Politics Exam


BBC Election Coverage, focusing on Young People in Politics

What Young People care about in Politics

Political participation

In  1987, 64% of people agreed that 'parties are only interested in votes.'

This rose to 75% in 2011. 

In 1983. 85% of those in their 20's/early 30's identified with a particular political party.

In 2012, this had fallen to 66% of the same age group.

Although people are becoming less interested in politics, they are involving themselves in political issues in different ways.

In 1983, only 29% of people reported having signed a petition, compared to 37% now.

Only 10% of people had contacted an MP in 1983, whilst 16% have done so now. 

Age 18-24

45%  said they voted in the last election

61% said they identify with a political party 

45% said its a persons duty to vote 

32% have a great deal / quite a lot of interest in politics 

Age 25-34

48%  said they voted in the last election

65% said they identify with a political party 

57% said its a persons duty to vote 

24% have a great deal / quite a lot of interest in politics 

Age 35-44

67%  said they voted in the last election

71% said they identify with a political party 

57% said its a persons duty to vote 

30% have a great deal / quite a lot of interest in politics 

Age 45 - 54 

75%  said they voted in the last election

68% said they identify with a political party 

61% said its a persons duty to vote 

34% have a great deal / quite a lot of interest in politics 

Age 55-64

84%  said they voted in the last election

73% said they identify with a political party 

70% said its a persons duty to vote 

44% have a great deal / quite a lot of interest in politics 

Age 65+

88%  said they voted in the last election

83% said they identify with a political party 

73% said its a persons duty to vote 

49% have a great deal / quite a lot of interest in politics 

Is the UK truly Democratic? - UK Democracy

Is the UK truly Democratic? - UK Democracy 

Democracy - 'Government of the people, Government by the people and Government for the people,'  is how Abraham Lincoln would define democracy. 

Compared to dictatorships or anarchy, or whatever North Korea is,  a democracy would be the fairest and most logical way in which to run a country - people vote for who they want to take power, and then the person or organisation with the most votes takes power, leading the country and deciding on major decisions - everyone's'  happy! - or so it seems. *Cue dramatic music.* 

If the UK was purely democratic, why do people protest? Why are pressure groups established to affect legislation? Why isn't there 100% turnout at elections? Why are there votes of no confidence in the House of Commons? Why doesn't Ed Milliband like bacon sandwiches? Who knows. 

(Actually, the answers are kind of obvious.) 

On one side, some would say the UK is no where near achieving true democracy. 

Firstly, a true democracy can only be achieved via 100% turnout in the general elections, referendums and initiatives. Our most recent election had a turnout of around 65% - which is obviously not 100%. However, the UK has never had 100% turnout for any political vote, so in a way the UK has never been truly democratic. 

Some countries, such as Australia, have compulsory voting, where everyone, who can vote, must vote in general elections, thus achieving an 100% turnout. However, does this mean Australia is a truly democratic country? Ha! if only it was that easy...

Another important factor of pure democracy is representation - the way the votes are spread out in the election are how the votes should be spread out in Parliament. So, for example, if the Liberal Democrats got 23% of the votes, they should get 23% of the seats - but again, nothing is ever that easy. 

The Lib Dems actually did get 23% of the votes in the 2010 election, but but only actually received around 8% of the seats on the house of Commons, but that's how our First Past to Post system works - oops. 

On the other hand, others would support the fact that the Uk is democratic. 

Firstly, pressure groups are active in our society. Anyone can see this through their protests, petitions and even TV adverts. Pressure groups are vital in a democracy as its other way that the public can have their say, and participate in politics. Pressure groups also allow a disperse of power, as they can easily affect Government legislation, through Insider and Outsider status. 

Secondly, in ways, the first past to post system is representative - the party with the most votes takes power, and its never been a result in which the winning party did not have the majority of the votes. Furthermore, FPTP can produce coalitions, such as 2010 - this, in a way, represented what the people voted for, as no party had a majority, so a coalition was the only choice. ( Well, a minority Government would of been established but they're likely to be unsuccessful.) 

Overall, the UK currently shows strong factors of a democracy in our current society - we vote, the majority party takes power and we protest, However, we're still quite a way away from achieving pure democracy, due to the unrepresentive voting system and the low turnout at elections.