What are the different types of political participation?
There is more to political participation than voting to elect a government.
Online activism and petitions
Online activism is popular with many people using the internet to organise protests or change popular opinion about a range of issues.
In recognition of the popularity of online campaigns, the UK Government has introduced a policy whereby petitions with over 100,000 signatures can be debated in the House of Commons.
For example, the UK-based campaigning forum, 38 Degrees has over two million members, The group organises and promote campaigns to bring about change across a broad range of political and social issues. These campaigns can be:
- online petitions to have issues debated in Parliament
- physical protests
- support to put pressure on companies by boycotting products
In Scotland, the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee looks at all petitions published to the Scottish Parliament's petition site. A petition does not have to reach a certain number of signatures to be considered.
Different ways to participate in politics
Other ways to participate in politics include:
- keeping up to date with what's happening in you local area as well as what is going on nationally and internationally
- standing as a candidate
- supporting a candidate during an election campaign by handing out leaflets or canvassing (going door-to-door)
- attending protests and rallies on issues, for example climate change