Research by the Hansard Society shows that less than half the population is now interested in politics at all and one in three is unlikely or certain not to vote at the next election. Many voters see a strong disconnection between what happens in Parliament and its effect on individuals lives. Only 24 per cent of people think the system of governing works "reasonably well" while just 38 per cent agree that the Government is held to account by Parliament.
Dr Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society's Parliament and Government programme, described the findings as "worrying".
"2011 was one of the most turbulent and momentous years in recent history," she said. "But it appears that the economic crisis, the summer riots and phone hacking did not lead to any greater interest in or knowledge of politics. The public seems to be disgruntled, disillusioned and disengaged. Only a quarter of the population is satisfied with our system of governing, which must raise questions about the long-term capacity of that system to command public support and confidence in the future."
48% The percentage of the electorate who say they are certain to vote at the next general election, down 10 per cent on last year.
42% Proportion of population now interested in politics, down 16 per cent on 2011
Politics has become an increasingly dirty word. Mention politics and you'll probably get a shrug of the shoulders, a huff of contempt or a rebuff that tells you they're just not interested. And why would they be? Politics of any colour, as currently structured, equates to lies, corruption and furtherance of the aims of a minority elite. Politics is all about corruption, cronyism, nepotism and deceit - in-your-face, downright perversion whether for money or power. Political democracy, despite its advantages, has become an empty shell, with popular participation limited to giving the thumbs up or the thumbs down every few years to rival bands of professional politicians and with fewer and fewer people bothering to do even this .The system has developed as intended and has been shaped to be ideally suited to advantage the few at the expense of the vast majority so we really shouldn't be surprised. If you think you've been cheated over the years you're right; capitalism is nothing but a racket.
Most people are aware of this, but don’t think they can do anything about it. They don’t like it, but accept it as something they have to put up with as they try to make the best of their life and that of their family. This is what is being called apathy, but it’s really more resignation or fatalism.
For over a century we have warned of the dangers of political apathy, of trusting in leaders, of accepting all that governments say without question. Our silence is that same silence the master class toasts each day. Our inaction is an important element in our continuing exploitation, for the master class see in it our consent for their excesses. Politics, the activities associated with how a country or an area is run, is something which should engage the interest and activity of every citizen as it bears directly on all aspects of life. The reason for contempt or indifference towards politics comes from a history of being excluded, the expectation of being excluded and the acceptance of being excluded. To be heard we need to be involved in the decision-making processes. Anger and outrage is not enough. Apathy is political suicide.
Dr Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society's Parliament and Government programme, described the findings as "worrying".
"2011 was one of the most turbulent and momentous years in recent history," she said. "But it appears that the economic crisis, the summer riots and phone hacking did not lead to any greater interest in or knowledge of politics. The public seems to be disgruntled, disillusioned and disengaged. Only a quarter of the population is satisfied with our system of governing, which must raise questions about the long-term capacity of that system to command public support and confidence in the future."
48% The percentage of the electorate who say they are certain to vote at the next general election, down 10 per cent on last year.
42% Proportion of population now interested in politics, down 16 per cent on 2011
Politics has become an increasingly dirty word. Mention politics and you'll probably get a shrug of the shoulders, a huff of contempt or a rebuff that tells you they're just not interested. And why would they be? Politics of any colour, as currently structured, equates to lies, corruption and furtherance of the aims of a minority elite. Politics is all about corruption, cronyism, nepotism and deceit - in-your-face, downright perversion whether for money or power. Political democracy, despite its advantages, has become an empty shell, with popular participation limited to giving the thumbs up or the thumbs down every few years to rival bands of professional politicians and with fewer and fewer people bothering to do even this .The system has developed as intended and has been shaped to be ideally suited to advantage the few at the expense of the vast majority so we really shouldn't be surprised. If you think you've been cheated over the years you're right; capitalism is nothing but a racket.
Most people are aware of this, but don’t think they can do anything about it. They don’t like it, but accept it as something they have to put up with as they try to make the best of their life and that of their family. This is what is being called apathy, but it’s really more resignation or fatalism.
For over a century we have warned of the dangers of political apathy, of trusting in leaders, of accepting all that governments say without question. Our silence is that same silence the master class toasts each day. Our inaction is an important element in our continuing exploitation, for the master class see in it our consent for their excesses. Politics, the activities associated with how a country or an area is run, is something which should engage the interest and activity of every citizen as it bears directly on all aspects of life. The reason for contempt or indifference towards politics comes from a history of being excluded, the expectation of being excluded and the acceptance of being excluded. To be heard we need to be involved in the decision-making processes. Anger and outrage is not enough. Apathy is political suicide.
I completely agree with your comments - considering the state of current affairs it is astonishing that apathy appears to be the norm for most people.
ReplyDeleteYou say "to be heard we need to be involved in the decision-making processes". What do you think is the best way to go about this - do you mean more people should vote in parliamentary elections, more people should be involved in protest or what?
What is the best way of making people more politicised and involved in decision making. Or is it not a simple answer?
Unfortunately, the Socialist Party are under no illusions that the present system of democracy offers people the fullest opportunity to control and direct or everyday lives politically. However, it does at its bare minimum present a means where we can insitute change and begin to transform our lives. That means taking political power and doing it through the most available method, that of a political party which stands for your only your class interests and no other. At the moment, that is ourselves even though we do not have delusions of grandeur that we are the mass socialist party at the moment which will establish socialism. Perhaps we are the embryo of such an organisation, or perhaps simply going to be a component part in its creation. Who really knows?
ReplyDeleteWe desire people to join ourselves and that is part of our reason for being a political party and advocating capturing the machinery of government through parliament and the vote. It can only be done by dedicated education and propaganda. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink.
We do not want people to contribute to their continued powerlessness by enlisting in one of the leader-controlled political parties. Our party structure and membership rules reflects our commitment to democratic decision making.
We also recognise that in many regions of the world, people do not have the franchise and support their endeavours to gain the basic democratic power of universal suffrage, but regret in so many cases it will only result in the continuance of ruling class power in another shape because of the lack of socialist consciousness, the exact same problem that we ourselves face in those countrues with some form of democratic process.