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Political Participation

Module description

Political participation is at the core of the democratic system. Who participates, how they do so, and why people participate in politics, shapes any political system. This module examines different forms of political participation with an emphasis on voting and electoral participation in a comparative perspective. Most of the readings are drawn from the UK and US contexts with some from other parts of the world. There is a strong emphasis on class discussion and presentations. You will be expected to apply concepts from the classical readings to current events. Weekly reading summaries will work towards building comprehension and synthesis of the assigned readings. In addition, classroom presentations will bridge the classical and theory-driven readings to current events.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In many of the longest-established democracies, voter turnout and party membership are in decline, particularly among the young. Many people distrust and disdain politicians and the political process in general. With a focus on seeking explanations for such current problems of representative democracy, the module provides an introduction to the international literature on political participation. Among other things, it explores the significance of political knowledge, generational differences in political participation, the motives for ‘extreme’ forms of political participation such as revolution and revolt, and the extent to which new forms of political participation may have taken the place of the old.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. List, describe and demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts associated with political participation
• 2. Identify appropriate empirical evidence that can be used to test claims about political participation Made by theorists, politicians and political commentators

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Identify and discuss the major political concepts and deploy them in appropriate circumstances.
• 4. Engage in sympathetic interpretation and reasoned criticism of theories
• 5. List, describe and evaluate different interpretations in the light of appropriate evidence
• 6. Use logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments
• 7. Apply abstract theoretical ideas and concepts to actual events and outcomes
• 8. Construct well-structured rigorous arguments based on logical deduction

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. The ability to study independently and in groups deliver presentations to peers, communicate effectively in speech and writing
• 10. communicate orally and appropriately use ICT
• 11. research & critically valuate information and apply techniques and theories in appropriate contexts
• 12. design and run presentations and demonstrate reliability and commitment to the ongoing process of class discussion

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

• Introduction
• Classical and Contemporary Theories of Political Participation
• Voter Turnout
• Political Knowledge
• Information and Participation
• Socio-economic status and participation
• Identity and Participation
• Religion and Participation
• Social Networks
• The Internet and Social Media
• Downsides of participation

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Essay is 90% of mark and presentation score is 10%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Norris, Pippa, (2002) Democratic Phoenix. Reinventing Political Activism, Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
• Franklin, Mark N., (2004). Voter Turnout and the Dynamics of Electoral Competition in Established Democracies Since 1945. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
• Milner, Henry, (2002) Civic Literacy. How Informed Citizens Make Democracy Work, University Press of New England
• Pattie, Charles, Patrick Seyd, and Paul Whitely, (2004) Citizenship in Britain: Values, Participation, and Democracy. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press
• Norris, P., & Inglehart, R. (2019). Cultural backlash: Trump, Brexit, and authoritarian populism. Cambridge University Press.

Key words search

Political Participation