Young people excluded from politics
Posted by cabalamat on 2009-Jun-26
ePolitix is reporting that young people feel excluded from politics:
Some 76 per cent of young people feel they cannot influence government decisions, a poll has revealed.
Research published by the Youth Citizenship Commission also found that 82 per cent of young people don’t trust politicians to make the right decisions for them.
Old Sparks said
If a similar survey was done of “old people” it would be obvious that they have no more trust in politicians making the right decisions for them than young people do.
The fact is that our “democracy” is a sham – and we all know it.
In Britain all the power of government is concentrated in the office of one man: the Prime Minister. Unless you happen to live in the constituency of a party leader, you have no say in the Government of our nation. True, you can vote for a representative in the legislature, but once elected, he or she has to vote the way the party whips direct.
Until we have proportional representation, and separate elections for the executive and the legislature (as in the United States), we will not have a proper democracy, and voter apathy will prevail.
cabalamat said
If a similar survey was done of “old people” it would be obvious that they have no more trust in politicians making the right decisions for them than young people do.
I’m sure you’re right.
The fact is that our “democracy” is a sham – and we all know it.
I partially agree there — British democracy isn’t entirely a sham. But the poltical process and the policies it produces are in serious need of improvement. That’s why I’m helping to found the Pirate Party, and make it a success.
George Carty said
Until we have proportional representation, and separate elections for the executive and the legislature (as in the United States), we will not have a proper democracy, and voter apathy will prevail.
Hmmm, so you advocate a presidential republic with PR? Isn’t that the setup used by most democracies in Latin America?