Citizenship
suggetions to increase voter participation
compulsary voting
lowering voting age to 16
allowing online voting
Barriers to citizen partcipation
lack of interest or apathy
a belief they wont make difference
lack of faith in politicians and political process
ways to hold people in power to account
petitions
leafleting
direct action (violent or non violent)
boycotts
use of celebrity
Advantage of interest group
provides focus for a limited range of objectives
disadvantage of interest group
normally not campaigning groups
field of interest can be very narrow
advantage of joining political party
enables a person to fully participate in political process
disadvantage of joining political party
by joining you are governed by rules of party so dont have total freedom of action
advantage of standing in an election
standing for a party means you have a core of voters who will likely vote for you
If standing as independent more difficult to get elected but can speak and vote on issues as you wish
disadvantage of standing in an election
standing for party can limit freedom to speak out or vote on specific issues as you have to support the party line
advantage of campaigning
become fully involved with issue and motivated to bring about change
it can help you develop a wide range of transferrable skills
disadvantage of campaigning
can move from acceptable to illegal forms of action
issue/campaign can become a dominant factor in your life and detrimental to yorself or your ability to promote the campain
Advantages of advocacy
excellent skill to develop enablng you to present a point of view clearly to an audience
disadvantage of advocacy
skill could overshadow cause, so advocacy lacks sincerity
your known expertise could attract supporters rather than the cause you are promoting
Definition of Public Services
state service providers at a local or national level eg. NHS
Pressure group
groups of people who work and campaign together on specific issue to bring about change or maintain current situation
Trade unions
organisations that represent groups of workers in relation to pay and conditions. Members from same job sector pay to join them
Charities
organisations that are given a legal status and sometimes government taxation benefits to represent an otherwise unrepresented section of society
Voluntary groups
may or may not be registered charity. involve people working to provide a service to others
Ways to use media to bring about change
organise demonstration that may recieve wide spread coverage online, on tv and in newspapers
can invite celebrity to be a figurehead for their cause
work within media itself to launch and promote a campaign
Ways a citizen can take part in justice system
jury service
witness
victim of crime
special constable
suggestions for increase of digital technology in society
phones used to vote in elections
gov ministers could hold public question time via social media
public views on issues of the day could be initiated through online referendums
action to bring about polititcal change includes
voting
joining interest group or political party
petitions
What is an ombudsman
Official who is appointed to look into complaints about companies and public service organisations