Deliberative Debate: What are the strengths and weaknesses of democracy in the UK?

Citizenship

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in people and can mean 'rule by the people’.

A multi-party system with free and fair elections

A president who remains in power for 20 years without an election

Single party government with limited elections

Because the media informs the public and holds people in positions of power accountable for their actions.

Because the media tells people what to think.

Continue using first past the post voting system.

Expand the right to vote by lowering the voting age.

Only have elections when the Prime Minister decides we can.

Some argue one way of improving democracy is to:

How much media each citizen is allowed to read.

Increase representation, participation and reform our electoral /voting system

What are the different ways of improving democracy?

Which out of the four nations have not lowered the voting age?

16-17 year olds are not mature enough to vote.

Politicians would be more likely to act on issues affecting young people if they could vote.

Young voters are less likely to vote and this will result in a decline in turnout.

Which statement supports lowering the voting age?

Parents, teachers or college lecturers may easily influence 16-17 year olds to vote a certain way.

Voting at 16 would match other aspects of citizenship available at that age e.g joining the army.

Young people may well have a better knowledge of issues than some older people.

Which statement suggests the voting age should NOT be lowered?

It will increase public participation and provide political power for young people.

It will lower the age at which you can become an MP

Why might lowering the voting age help improve democracy?