Widening political participation

• Wider use of Referendums
• Lower voting age
• Complusory voting
• Digital Democracy

ADVANTAGES:

+ DIRECT DEMOCRACY - public can express opinions, control over govt decision making.

+ POLITICAL EDUCATION - public can debate (increase electoral turnout).

+ RESPONSIVE GOVT - force govt to listen to public opinion between elections on specific issue.

+ REDUCES GOVT POWER - has less control over outcome of referendums.

DISADVANTAGES:

- ILL-INFORMED DECISIONS: citizens < educated & lack political experienced compared to politicians who can make knowledgable pliy decisions.

- WEAKENS PARLIAMENT: weakens role of elected MPS as they've been elected to make policy decisions.

- IRRESPONSIBLE GOVT: decisions handed over to electorate. Govts are elected to make policy decisions and should be accountable for them.

- STRENGTHENS GOVT: as they decide when, where and what issue to hold referendum on,