Referendums Flashcards
What are referendums an example of?
Example of direct democracy-citizens make decisions themselves
Who decides when refendums are held?
Decision to hold taken by government?
Are referendums results binding?
Not binding
What are elections an example of?
Example of representative democracy
What do elections determine?
Determine who forms a government
Are election results binding?
Yes binding
What are examples of referendums including all of the uk?
1974, uk remain in the EU
2011, Alternative vote referendum
2016, should uk leave EU
Arguments for referedums?
Direct form of democracy - encourage citizens to have say
Could be used to give clear answer when parliament deadlocked
Method of solving tricky moral question
Way of giving mandate to issue or legitimise constitutional changes
Example of a refendum supporting strength that they are a direct form of democracy?
2016 EU referendum
Example of a referendum supporting strength that they can be used as a clear answer when parl deadlocked?
Remain in EEC ref, 1975
Example of referendum supporting strength that they are a method of solving tricky moral questions?
Irish referendum 1998
Example of referendum supporting strength that they’re a way Of giving mandate to issue or legitimise constitutional changes?
Legitimacy to Scotland referendum
Arguments against use of Referendum?
To many can lead to apathy and low turnout
Most issues to complicated to concise to “yes” or “no”
Decision not always final gov can go back on word or do them again till desired answer
Example of referendum supporting weakness that to many can lead to apathy and low turnout
22% turnout NI assembley ref
Example of referendum supporting weakness that most issues to complicated to concise to “yes” or “no”
EU referendum- mps job to decide
Example of referendum supporting weakness that the decision is not always final and gov can go back on word or do again till desired answer
2 Scottish parliament referendums
