Political Participation in Europe

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer firstly outlines the major factors that led to increased political participation in Europe. Secondly, the writer then focuses on the prospects for liberal democracy in Europe; to what extent it is under threat and what challenges it will have to overcome. The writer maintains that it is clear to see how industrialisation and the spread of reformist and radical ideas led to increased political participation in Europe over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. However, although the status quo appears generally stable, modern democrats must be vigilant against the forces that would seek to attack the liberal foundation upon which modern Europe rests. The writer concludes that it is general political apathy on the part of many in Europe combined with the continuing rise of extremism that will pose the greatest threat in the future.

From the Paper:

"In addition to the above, the urban working class of Europe developed a political consciousness in the early and mid nineteenth century that translated into a firm desire to gain a voice in the political process. Although industrialisation and the prospect of higher wages had brought many workers from the countryside into the towns, the conditions they were subject to were hideous. Workers were forced to work very long hours for little financial reward. Furthermore, living conditions were invariably worse that those of the countryside as the mass migration of thousands into the cities precipitated widespread disease and cramped squalled housing. Adding to this situation was a sense of utter powerlessness. The working masses had no form of political representation to turn in order to redress their grievances; even the early trade union movement was suppressed across many parts of the continent. Given this situation, it is unsurprising that both the urban and rural working classes constantly agitated for political participation in their respective countries; often led by members of the lower middle class."

Sample of Sources Used:

• BBC News. "BNP sees increase in total votes" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ukpolitics/vote_2005/frontpage/4519348.stm, 13/01/2008.
• BBC News "Austrian far-right enters government" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/630846.stm, 14/01/2008
• Blanning, Timothy. The Oxford Illustrated History of Modern Europe. Oxford, Oxford University, 1996.
• Fukuyama, Francis. The End of History and the Last Man. London: Penguin, 1993.
• Geoghegan, Vincent et al. Political Ideologies: An Introduction London: Routledge, 2003.

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