Something changed this year in Britain. During the last twenty years there has been a distinct decline in the number of voters exercising their right to vote in the UK. Voter turnout in the 2001 general election recorded only 59% turnout, this slightly improved in 2005 to 61% and in 2010 increased further to 65%. In this year's general election turnout was almost 70%, a record. The youth vote was also up around 14%.
Nonetheless voter apathy is still a significant problem in the UK. This has been particularly evident with the 18-24 age bracket. With one third of 18-24 year olds showing no interest in voting demonstrates a profound lack of engagement with the political process. It is not just in the voter turnout figures that provides evidence of voter apathy in young people, but a number of studies have been conducted which show how young people are unhappy and feel alienated from the political process.
In September 2011 Matt Henn and Nick Ford from Nottingham Trent University published the findings of their research into young people and voting participation. It was entitled 'Young People, Political Participation and Trust in Britain'. It was an extensive investigation relying on multiple source data and found that many young people have a scepticism and distrust of politics and politicians. It also identified how 18-24 year olds are finding their new political identities online and that what is actually occurring is ‘cultural displacement’. This is taking place through blogs, social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Tumblr and participation in online campaigns. Now this is where Steemit comes in as a new valuable tool in helping young people particiapte in the political process.
Steemit is a huge knowledge bank. If young people decide they want to not only vote but educate themselves about what is going on in their country and the world they can find a very valuable source of education in Steemit. This is no overestimation. Steemit provides a platform for all kinds of political perspectives and information is often provided in a 'raw' format without fileters you find in the mainstream media.
I say all of this with a warning as well. There has been much hype in the media about the new increase in voter turnout amongst the young. And it is indeed welcome news that more young people are voting now. However, it is very important that young people know all of the facts and details before they cast their vote. They need to understand the wider picture and not just completely absorb what they are being told in the mainstream news media. An uninformed vote is a dangerous vote. Again this is where a platform such as Steemit can play a very valuable role in exposing media lies and manipulations.
Always make sure your vote is a well researched and well informed vote.
I'm actually sad that young people turn out to vote. That's the system of a old world, a world which didn't manage to feed and keep safe all the inhabitants of the world.
We, YOUNG PEOPLE, are the ones who need to come up with a better system.
Politicians and Politics are not to be trusted, and I applaud those that do not.
We must not conform to their old world of Greed, Power over others and Corruption, but we must build a new and better world for ourselves.
Look at what Politics and Voting has done. How can you EXPECT an intelligent person to CHOOSE between such people as Hillary or Trump?
Those do no represent anything that I want to see more in the world. Greed and Centralized power is a monstruosity to be erased.
Anyway, nice post. I'm glad we can share our difference of opinion in a safe environment, where people with different ideas and incarcerated or killed into silence.
Sorry if I come out a bit frustrated. I got emotional about this post, for some reason.
You should never be sad that young people vote. Be sad at the system and the politicians who have methodically destroyed the system designed to empower the people. But no matter how bad the political options on the table are there is always a vehicle, a party, to vote for which you can use as a starting point to begin your agenda for change.
The image you've chosen ("people don't know their true power") means the complete opposite to me of what you seem to think it means. The powerful act referred to is precisely that of turning your back on politics; to refuse to participate. Political power depends on popular support, and by not voting you are withholding your support for the political system. At least, that's my interpretation.
You're totally right @Morality2. I've made a extended post about this issue. If you'd like to check it you: click here.
The image captures perfectly the true strength of the power people have. If they choose not to unite and take action then they lose their strength. The voting system is only one part of the power people have, but an important part of it nonetheless. With young people in Britain they are becoming more engaged which is great but it is very important that their vote, as with anyones, must be an informed vote.
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