It is democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. in action. On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stood in the pouring rain and announced a shock general electionIn the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years. . PollsWhen people are asked what their opinion is on a certain topic or who they are voting for in an election. suggest his party will lose. But he went to the people anyway.

Yet globally the picture for democracy is not great. People are growing dissatisfied with their political systems. Young people feel especially unhappy.

Political advocacyGiving support to help others express their views and wishes, and to stand up for their rights. organisation Freedom House reports that young people are "voting less, rejecting party membership and telling researchers that their country's leaders aren't working in their interests".

Europe has an ageing population. People are having fewer children and living longer. As the proportion of young people decreases, so does their democratic voice.¹

Young people, says politics professor David Runciman, are "massively outnumbered, resulting in an inbuilt bias against governments who plan for the future".

Not that many young people choose to use their democratic voice. In Britain, youth turnout in elections is very low. In the 2019 UK election, just 47% of 18-24 year olds voted, as opposed to 74% of those over 75.² 

Some think that major change is needed. One is growing the electorate. In Britain, 16 year olds can join the army, work full-time, get married and open a bank account. 

Surely someone who can take on such responsibilities should be able to have a say in how their country is run?

The 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum allowed 16 year olds to vote. Research has found that Scots who voted aged 16 have often continued to vote in subsequent elections.

Not everyone is on board. Opponents of change point out that many of the freedoms enjoyed by 16 year olds require parental permission. They say that young people might be easily influenced by parents or other authority figures - although evidence for this is limited.

Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Yes: Young voices are already underrepresented. As populations age they will be even more so. Giving 16 year olds the vote should help to balance things out.

No: When someone is old enough to vote, they become an adult. And when they are an adult they lose some of the protections that being a minor gives them. The loss might outweigh the gain.

Or... It is not a big issue. Democracies face huge problems. Politicians need to start thinking about major, long-term global issues rather than local political ones.