WhoWhatWhy’s Post

For legal studies and civics teachers : government structures, processes and democracy. Recent elections in parts of Australia provide a good opportunity to discuss/review with students the differences in: a by-election, state and federal elections and local council elections, a referendum, a plebiscite and other concepts. Interesting too that the Tasmanian lower house has 35 seats, spread across 5 electorates and 7 members for each electorate.

New Undercurrent Event: "The 2024 House Elections Present a Very Odd Vision of Democracy. Does your vote matter? Thanks to our antiquated system of single-winner districts, the answer is probably: NO. Here’s why. PLUS: how to fix it to make your vote matter in the future." Come for the trenchant analysis. Stay for the new game of Buckets, which I invented to explain districting. Also, NEW this week: I'm including an audio version of the post now, for FREE (the newsletter is also free) https://lnkd.in/e-SuujDg

There is no doubt that our independent institutions will come under more pressure than ever in the run-up to the 2024 national elections. Perhaps the strongest pressure will be felt by the Electoral Commission. A series of events around the George by-elections last week may only be a first indication of the lengths to which political parties will go to advance their interests, and how intense this pressure will be.

Six days after my 18th birthday I voted in my first UK general election. The election of a coalition government in 2010 was also significant for me - as is the current election. My reflection this week connects to these three events: 1. VOTE - it's really important to vote. The key deadline is Tuesday 18 June to register to vote, or apply for a postal or proxy vote (link below to The Electoral Commission website). Suffrage has been hard won by many sections of society - is not universal everywhere and is under threat. Knowing that women could only vote in parliamentary elections since 1918 - thanks to campaigning from suffragists and suffragettes - meant that voting when I'd just turned 18 was an important right that I don't take for granted. 2. VOICE - representation matters. Listening and talking with a range of people about those who are standing for election helps inform our understanding of politics, politicians, what influences them and what matters to us (and people we care about). In 2010, I had begun teaching the Chartered Institute of Public Relations #PublicAffairs professional diploma - the coalition government surfaced questions about representation (for individuals, families, groups, communities, publics, organisations - and their stakeholders). Whose voice counts and how to engage politically within an ethical framework is central to democracy and professional practice of PA. 3. VOLITION - the ability to make our own decisions is increasingly under threat from misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. In a year where 60+ countries are due to hold elections, 'political volition' is also a message that resonates with self-interests. Voting is a deliberative act. Yet while the politics of volition promises agency, its appeal presents ethical challenges in a volatile, messy, brittle world. For me volition is a metamodern concept in 2024 elections, and one that will find a place in the public affairs book that Dr Sarah Bowman and myself are weaving into its complete form in the weeks leading up to the UK election - making this another memorable political event in my life. Thank you for reading this week's 3 points of reflection. Collectively these posts are my 'fonds' (records of the same origin - made in the conduct of everyday affairs - accumulated over time and kept for their enduring value). Links: The Electoral Commission - how to register to vote, apply to vote by post or by proxy:

How Members of the Senedd should be elected has been a topic of debate for over 20 years. But is the electoral system proposed in the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill the right one? Our latest article takes a look at the evidence the Reform Bill Committee has received 👇 https://lnkd.in/eY3CReAU

With just 50 days before the April 10 parliamentary elections, South Korean political parties have entered full-fledged election mode, nominating candidates and gearing up for a tightly contested race. The ruling People Power Party is focusing on replacing old faces with new ones, while the opposition Democratic Party is spearheading a campaign to pass judgment on the Yoon government's handling of state affairs. The emergence of new parties is expected to add another layer of complexity to the upcoming parliamentary elections. #AsiaOperations #PoliticsandElections #SouthKorea Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/dXtA-Ybg

What a concept

The French Election Upheaval: A Path to a New Political Exchequer? France has been experiencing significant political turmoil for a number of years, which has changed the country's electoral environment. Voters' deep dissatisfaction and desire for change are reflected in the rise of new groups, the fracturing of the old political landscape, and the decline of historic parties. The emergence of fresh movements like Marine Le Pen's National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise first shook up traditional parties. With the help of radical ideas and populist rhetoric, these groups succeeded in expressing the frustration of a certain percentage of society, especially young people and the working classes, who were not happy with the policies implemented by the major parties. Simultaneously, the political scene has become more fragmented. This fragmentation, which is frequently associated with the emergence of social networks and the individualization of voting, has encouraged political instability. It has made it challenging to create durable majorities. Finally, historically significant parties like the Socialist Party and the Republicans have witnessed a significant decline in popularity. These formerly powerful groups' collapse is associated with a decline in public trust and an incapacity to fulfil societal expectations. There are various important considerations regarding the future of French politics raised by this political upheaval. Conventional parties' function: How can traditional parties adjust to contemporary political concerns and win back the public's trust? The effects of recent moves How does a stable democratic system accommodate new movements that are frequently propelled by populist speeches? The split-up confusion: In an environment of growing fragmentation, how can stable majorities and efficient political operations be achieved? Though it will be challenging to forecast French politics going forward, it is certain that the electoral landscape is evolving. At a crossroads, France must restructure its political structure to suit societal expectations and ensure national stability. This is an important task. This fundamental pattern of French electoral upheaval is not confined to the upcoming elections. It will take time to determine the exact shape of these changes, but they upend established political patterns and pave the way for novel election arrangements. 

Finally, one more step towards ethical voting and fair elections

Today, millions of voters in the UK will have the opportunity to elect their local MPs and the next government. Check out this article for your guide to the general election and how to vote: https://lnkd.in/eD-xHBja #GeneralElection24 #Election2024 #vote #uk #politics