We found evidence of two “biases” in the design of democratic processes that make it difficult for many people to participate: People's perceptions of financial security influence their attitudes toward and involvement in democratic processes and institutions. Accessibility: Democratic processes and channels of influence should be in the same places where people spend time;
Experience: The user experience and journey should be at the center of all democratic processes and channels for influence. What is driving many people to disengage from formal democratic processes and channels for influence, while remaining engaged in a richer array of civic activities. In the next three chapters, we show that many people feel alienated by unresponsive democratic processes and services, leading to disengagement, disillusionment, and a growing distance between the institutions of democracy and politics and the everyday reality of most people's lives.
Public attitudes towards democratic processes become increasingly negative the further away decisions are made. As Figures 4 to 6 show, people are particularly negative about their ability to influence through democratic processes (such as participating in public consultations and contacting their MP). Democratic processes and channels of influence need to improve People are more negative about democratic processes than about other aspects of their personal and public lives.
These responses suggest that democratic processes and channels of influence may currently require too much from too many citizens in order for them to participate.
People are frustrated by poor democratic processes
We labeled the 35 percent of people who lack confidence about their future financial security as "financially insecure" and explored how a sense of financial insecurity affected attitudes toward democratic processes and channels for influence. We found that financially insecure people had significantly more pronounced negative attitudes towards democratic processes and public life. Many of the people who come to Citizens Advice for help with their problems are likely to be financially insecure.
But being financially insecure is not limited to those with low incomes; one in ten (11 percent) of those with the highest household incomes also lack confidence about their financial security. Our survey found that those who feel financially insecure are more likely to have negative attitudes towards public life, either in relation to the extent to which they feel represented, how easy it is to get involved and how influential they feel. The financially insecure also have a lower sense of political efficacy and think that democratic processes do not work for them.
Those who are more insecure have a lower sense of political efficacy: only 17 percent of the financially insecure agree with the statement "When people like me get involved in politics, they can really change the way the country is run." Financial security is also strongly linked to a sense of representation by democratic processes and institutions there to serve citizens, for example representation by MPs and councillors. The more financially secure you are, the more likely you are to trust formal offices and institutions to represent you: only 7 percent of the financially insecure trust their local MP or local councilor to represent their needs, for example .
Eight in ten of the financially insecure do not feel confident about their political representation over the next 5-10 years, compared to two in ten among the financially secure. Why do the financially insecure consistently fare so poorly in relation to public life. Feeling financially insecure is likely to mean that you will spend a greater amount of time and mental energy thinking about your financial situation and how it will be managed in the coming months and years.
The fact that the financially insecure have less headspace to engage in politics and democratic processes means that they find it harder to get involved and feel less influential when they do. The assertive participate more and more often in democratic processes. Those with assertive personalities are more likely to engage in democratic processes and channels of influence, such as public hearings or contact with the local council. The assertive are more likely to feel that democratic processes are working well The assertive are far more likely to think that democratic processes are working well and do not need improvement.
These 'biases' mean that many people find it difficult to engage with and seek influence through formal democratic processes and services, such as Citizens feel frustrated and alienated as democratic processes are unresponsive and frustrating to engage with, and they require time, space and confidence to push through change.
Democracy that goes with the grain
Information: All public information should be published and presented so that it is as easily accessible and understandable as possible
One of the most important ways to give people influence on the issues that matter to them is to ensure that they have easy access to relevant information, presented in a simple and understandable way. Inappropriate presentation of information can lead people who do not have the time, space or confidence to find and navigate public information that is not formatted or presented with the public in mind. The successes of the Government Digital Service (GDS) are widely recognized in this area and it is welcome that the GDS is starting to work with local government to improve the delivery of digital services.
This work should include ensuring that 19 information relating to local democratic processes – such as consultation documents and complaints procedures – is as simple and accessible as possible. The tool also allows you to click on many of the circles to zoom in and see a more detailed breakdown of revenue and spending areas. At a time when municipal budgets are under increasing pressure, it is especially important that citizens can understand and scrutinize these expenditures.
Accessibility: Democratic processes and channels of influence should be located in places where people spend time.
Accessibility: Democratic processes and channels for influence should be co-located in the places where people spend time
Experience: User experience and journey should be at the centre of all democratic processes
WriteToThem.com and TheyWorkForYou.com - which aim to make it simple and seamless for everyone to get involved and make an impact.
Acknowledgements
Free, confidential advice
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Written by Temi Ogunye, with Imogen Parker, and Laura Bunt
