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09-05-2015, 09:45 AM | #526 | ||
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These aren't "thick" people, just average people who don't have any real interest in the process until the day of the election itself. It's quite worrying, when you think about it. I mean, what even is "democracy" if huge chunks of the people voting don't understand the process? |
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09-05-2015, 09:51 AM | #527 | |||
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You know my methods
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09-05-2015, 10:04 AM | #528 | ||
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That's a very easy answer but I'd suggest that it doesn't really matter whose responsibility it is, only that it is the case. People are lazy, mostly disinterested, not politically engaged and have the wrong idea about the system and it ends up acting as "natural propaganda". That is to say... Someone believes a majority means more than half of the country voted that way, we now have a majority Tory government, that person now believes that more than 50% of people voted Tory, and they then think "well they can't be that bad if more than half the country wants it".
The basics should be taught in schools from age 14 upwards. It seems fairly obvious that this basic understanding should be ensured. But the establishment actually benefits from ignorance, so they're happy to let it remain vague and convoluted. |
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09-05-2015, 10:47 AM | #529 | |||
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שטח זה להשכרה
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I learned the basics of voting and of government when I was at school. Most people I know have a decent grasp on it. We've had this conversation before TS, but I have faith in the British public, I don't assume they're a bit dim and don't know what they're doing because as far as I can see people generally have a decent grasp on what's going on.
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09-05-2015, 11:03 AM | #530 | |||
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All hail the Moyesiah
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Like with voting I do think people have a responsibility to engage with politics themselves as well. All very well to say people are disillusioned etc. but they also have more opportunities to engage with politics than ever before, politicians are more accountable now, there's much wider availability of news and opinion, the public get to see more of their workings etc. There's nowhere near the same bubble around Westminster as there used to be
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09-05-2015, 12:08 PM | #531 | |||
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self-oscillating
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Someone pointed out on QT last night that the 4 million ukip voters had an opportunity along with the lib dems and the greens, to change the voting system when it was put to a public vote. The public said no ... keep it as it is. People can't just engage in politics when they feel like it, it has to be a commitment.
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09-05-2015, 12:16 PM | #532 | |||
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This Witch doesn't burn
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Most people have a grasp on it. Most know if they are in a safe or marginal seat and if their vote is likely to make a difference, though that was turned on it's head in many areas this time, if we only voted because we knew our candidate was a shoe many would stay at home.
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09-05-2015, 12:23 PM | #533 | |||
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This Witch doesn't burn
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09-05-2015, 01:05 PM | #534 | |||
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Likes cars that go boom
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How did Iain duncan smith win his seat back...he's being prosecuted for human rights violations isn't he?
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09-05-2015, 04:56 PM | #535 | ||
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Senior Member
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09-05-2015, 06:03 PM | #536 | ||
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It's really not that unusual. Some find it confusing, some find it boring, others just find it too depressing to think about (and I sort of understand that last stance) but it's fairly evident that a huge number of people have no interest at all, and even those who do have a passing interest, a large number don't fully understand the process. I challenge you to quiz some random people in the street (normal ones, not professionals who will be up on politics) and ask them to explain the concepts of FPTP, Alternate Vote, and Proportional Representation. If you had a pound for the number of blank stares you would get, and another for the number of people who would get it wrong... Also, as with Eyeball above, modern politics was not taught at all at my high school unless you opted to take Social Studies, which I have to say, was not a very popular choice, with most opting for History or Geography instead. I think there was a class of around 27 in my year, out of a year group of nearly 160 pupils. Last edited by Toy Soldier; 09-05-2015 at 06:04 PM. |
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09-05-2015, 06:10 PM | #537 | ||
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And these people understand betting odds? |
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09-05-2015, 06:11 PM | #538 | ||
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