referendums

Question 1

adv, dis- intro

Answer 1

. referendums- votes on constitutional issues- all decided issues that could not be resolved through normal parliamentary means:
1. to resolve internal party differences
2. to resolve conflict
3. to entrench constitutional changes
4. because it has become conventional to decide constitutional issues by referendum
. results not legally binding- de facto force, not de jure
: more democratic, heal divisions within society, increase participation
. undermines representative democracy + par sov, voters lack expertise, make divisions in society worse

Question 2

para 1- dis

Answer 2

. undermines representative democracy + par sov
. referendums are increasingly used as if there is something wrong with representative democracy
. elected representatives more likely to make sensible decisions
-eg. many voters exaggerated fears of immigration during Brexit (2016 EU Membership referendum) ; politicians aware many of these immigrants were not EU migrants
>questions importance of elections> undermines par sov- suggests elected representatives not fit to make important decisions
-eg. Switzerland have a lot of referendums + turnout is lower than rest of Europe (less than 50%)

Question 3

para 1-adv

Answer 3

. purest form of democracy- direct democracy
.allow people to decide crucial matters for themselves, instead of out of touch politicians
-eg. Brexit- major parties, key pressure groups (CBI + TUC), experts, international organisations, other Govs supported remain; people voted leave>referendum allowed them to

Question 4

para 2- dis

Answer 4

. outcomes lack clarity and increase divisions
. reasons why people vote in the way they do in referendums can vary significantly
. 18mil UK citizens voted to leave the EU in 2018 (52%), 48% remain
. 2014 Scottish Independence- 45% v 55%
. caused 3 years of chaos + confusion since then in negotiating a Brexit withdrawal deal let alone a trade deal
. can make divisions in society worse:
. referendums supposed to heal social + political division> doesn’t always have that effect
. Scotland is more divided since 2014 on independence then ever- 2015 general election
. public opinion just UK even more divided on brexit
. dominating party politics + public discussion
. radical attack on the rise, EU nationals going home
. brexit voters fearing betrayal
. 2017 + 2019 elections known as the brexit elections

Question 5

para 2- adv

Answer 5

. can heal divisions in society
. dangerous divisions> violence between communities + some groups resort to terrorism
-eg. NI since 1970s- ongoing sectarian violence between unionist + nationalist
>1998 Good Friday Agreement- clear majority from people in NI (71% wanted multi-party executive)
- forced politicians + parties to work together in power-sharing executive
- difficult for terrorist groups to continue campaign against the wish the people they were acting in support of

Question 6

para 3- dis

Answer 6

. held for party political- self interest
. some countries + states have initiative with a petition> people call referendum without party in gov deciding
. gov uses referendum as a tool to suit the needs of the governing party, rather than interests of democracy
.

Question 7

para 3- adv

Answer 7

. increase participation> more scrutiny + people proactively aware on how gov deal with issue referendum is being held on