Democracy - Elections

Factors that affect the timing of an election:

• An election must be held within a maximum of 5 years
• Since the Fixed Term Parliment Act, you need a 2/3 majority. E.g. Theresa May got it in 2017
• An opposition decides the timing
• The Prime minister decides when the election will take place, especially if they know they will win

Differences between direct and representative democracy:

• In representative democracy you vote MPs to act on your behalf
• Whereas, in direct democracy you don't vote for a representative, instead you vote for yourself
• Representative is based on elections, direct is based on referendums particularly
• Direct democracy can prevent an elective dictatorship

Compulsory Voting:

• ✓ Higher turnout
• ✓ More democratic
• ✓ Government would have a stronger mandate
• ✓ Become more involved and educated in politics
• X  It would take away your freedom, if you're being forced to vote
• X  May not think before voting

Lowering the Voting age:

• ✓ More democratic
• ✓ They can do many things at the age of 16 (i.e. pay taxes, get married, etc)
• ✓ Encourages them to be educated in politics
• ✓ Young people are going to be most affected…