Referendums as forums of demcracy Flashcards

1
Q

What does a referendum involve?

A

this involves a public vote on some single issue public policy. It is a means of presenting a question of importance for popular consideration and decision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What were referendums historically known as?

A

plebiscites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which 20th century dictators employed referendums?

A

Hitler and Mussolini

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How did 20th century dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini use referendums to their own advantage ?

A

They were able to conceal their real intentions in order to boost their authority by creating an impression of legitimacy for the policies they intended to carry out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why was Clement Attlee dismissive of referendums (plebiscites)?

A

due to their association to undemocratic regimes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How did Clement Attlee describe referendums?

A

as ‘devices alien to our traditions’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Who did Clement Attlee say referendums were instruments of?

A

‘demagogues and dictators’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is an example of plebiscites which have featured in democratic regimes with authoritarian overtones?

A

the Fifth French Republic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

In Europe, why are referendums often held?

A

in order to decide questions which are too crucial for the legislature to decide on such as for constitutional reasons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which 3 countries resorted to referendums on the diverse matter of the civil use of nuclear power?

A

Austria, Sweden and Italy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

In which countries must a referendum take place before a new treaty can be approved?

A

Austria, Denmark, Estonia and six other countries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

In Sweden when do referendums take place?

A

they can be held if they seem appropriate on any particular issue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the status of referendums?

A

they are advisory only

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the fact that the status of referendums are advisory only mean?

A

this means that the peoples verdict does not have to be translated into law

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

In what year did the Swedish government ignore a public vote when the public voted to continue driving on the left and change this to the right?

A

1955

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What issue were the Swedish government slow to follow the voters issues in 1980 which took 20 years?

A

over the decommission of nuclear power stations

17
Q

In what non-EU state are single-issue votes built into the regular machinery of the government and held on a three monthly basis and are binding?

A

Switzerland

18
Q

What does parliamentary sovereignty mean for Britain and referendums?

A

that most usually, only parliament can cast a decisive vote on any issue

19
Q

What reflects parliamentary sovereignty of Britain in regards to referendums?

A

the case of BREXIT and Article 50 meant that parliament had to decide whether we leave the EU, to which the UKSC ruled that they had to.

20
Q

Why are MPs unlikely to cast a parliamentary vote in defiance of popular opinion from the electorate?

A

as they would be unlikely to be re elected in the next general election

21
Q

in 1975 which Prime Minister accepted that even a majority of one single vote against the UK remaining in the EC would mean that they have to leave?

A

Wilson

22
Q

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

A

the concept that parliament has absolute sovereignty making it supreme over all other government institutions and able to introduce, change or repeal legislation as it wishes.

23
Q

What is devolution?

A

the statutory granting of powers from the central government at regional or local level

24
Q

What year did the Conservatives hold a referendum on the border issue in Northern Ireland?

A

1973

25
Q

What year did Labour allow the Scots and Welsh to vote on whether they wanted devolution?

A

1979

26
Q

What suggested possibilities were never materialised under the Blair administration?

A

a vote on electoral reform and membership of the single currency, joining the eurozone

27
Q

What is the European Economic Community?

A

this was the name for the organisation set up by the Treaty of Rome 1957. Later became known as the EC.

28
Q

What was the % of turnout for the Scottish and Welsh devolved assembly in 1997?

A

60%

50%

29
Q

What did 20 local authorities hold referendums on in the mid 2000’s to decide on?

A

to decide on whether there should be an elected mayor in their area

30
Q

What does the increase popularity of referendums suggest to governments?

A

that some people wish to participate in politics between general elections and express their views on decisions that immediately shape their lives