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In a democracy, there should be a vote for all adults and voters should be able to cast their votes without fear. The country should be divided into equal constituencies and anyone should be able to stand as an M. P. The government should be by the elected representatives of the people elections should be held regularly. In order to ascertain whether Britain was democratic by 1914 it is necessary to examine whether these features were in place at that date.
One of the most important features of democracy is the right to vote by all adults. Prior to 1832, only upper or landed classes enjoyed that privilege but after that date the middle class was admitted to the franchise which meant that now 1 in 7 men could vote. In the 1850 's there was little inclination to extend the franchise further as the working class tended to be regarded as the ignorant masses that needed to be represented by their "betters." However by the 1860 's, the skilled workers had so impressed to politicians by their interests in politics and their good habits that it was decided to widen the franchise to encompass the skilled workers. Thus by 1847 1 in 3 men could now vote. Further reform of the franchise took place in 1884 when qualifications in the country and in the towns or boroughs became uniform. Great strides had been made in granting the right to vote but since not all adults could, Britain could not be said to be democratic.
Another feature of democracy is the right to cast ones vote without any fear. The old method of voting was not democratic as it encouraged both corruption and bribery. This method was open casting the voter would stand up on a stage and shout out his vote. Often M. P's would pay voters to vote for them, sometimes the voters were threatened to vote for a certain party.
The politicians spent a lot of money on the elections provoking people to vote for them. The ballot act changed the situation because it now made voting secret but still there was not a wipeout of corruption and bribery. The Corrupt and Illegal Practises Act meant that if anyone was caught bribing or intimidating anyone into making them vote for a certain party then they would be fined or sent to prison. Now the method of voting was democratic. In order to be truly democratic the country should be divided up into equal constituencies i. e.
areas with the same number of voters. The Redistribution Act of 1885 made sure that there were equal constituencies so the vote would be fair and equal. This change was a step towards democracy. Another feature of democracy is the right to stand for parliament.
At one point only people with the right amount of land and money could stand as an M. P. There was a change made that meant anyone could be a politician. It was almost impossible for working class men to stand, as the politicians still were not getting paid. The Act of 1911 changed all this and meant that now politicians were paid. Britain was now making progress into being truly democratic.
On the other hand there were some issues that hindered democracy. Government is supposed to be elected by the representatives of the people yet the House of Lords an un-elected body could block legislation and prevent the House of Commons from carrying out its function. The house of lords was made up of men who had the privilege of being a lord through birth or they were just given the opportunity for there life and it would not be passed to there children. The House of Lords blocked the Franchise bill of 1886 the Liberal legislation on education 1904 and the liberal peoples budget of 1909. The act of 1911 changed everything as the House of Lords could not block an act for over two years or block an act that was to do with taxation or government spending. The situation was now better but it was far from democratic.
In order to be completely democratic the voting must be regular elections. This was not happening in Britain as the elections were around every seven years but the act o 1911 made stated that there would be and election every 5 years. This was nearing democracy but it wasn't yet fully democratic. Although most men could vote by 1914, not all could and not one single woman could.
Some men could not vote as the politicians and higher class thought of them as uneducated and policemen, paupers, lunatics and aliens were not allowed to vote either. Women were not included in the franchise as it was thought that they would vote for the nicest looking politician and that they are not educated enough to vote and there place was thought to be in the home. Women had many campaigns for female suffrage but still they were denied the vote. This is far from democratic.
It is true to say that there had been many changes that made Britain more democratic. The secret ballot had been introduced and corruptions had been wiped out. Also anyone could stand for Parliament now that salaries were to be paid to MP's and there was more even representation since the 1885 act had improved the matter of constituencies. Elections were now regular, though they still lasted over several days, giving the British people the opportunity to keep or dismiss a government. However the House of Lords still existed and could not be considered to be elected representatives and therefore this body is undemocratic. The fact that not all adults were entitled to vote is a telling factor and therefore although progress had been made' Great Britain was not truly democratic by 1914.
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Research essay sample on How Democratic Was Britain By 1914
