referendums for/against Flashcards
increased participation in democracy
-exercises in direct democracy discourage voter apathy which is particularly important in an era considered to have a ‘participation crisis’
-representative democracy leaves many feeling apathetic as they feel powerless,particularly FPTP, associated with safe seats, wasted votes etc.
-this can be seen in higher turnout in referendums e.g. 2014 Scottish independence 84% compared to 67% in 2019 GE
increased participation evaluation
-Not all referendums have high levels
of engagement. The AV referendum in 2011 had a low
turnout of 42% – potentially settling the UK’s voting
system for decades to come on a minority vote.
the idea of a ‘mandate’ is questionable
-some referendums are so close,a small event could have swung the vote the other way
-they measure public opinion at one short time and the losers accept defeat leading to ‘neverrendums’
-e.g. 2014 independence referendum led to demands for a second independence referendum
-2023 polling shows the UK has a want to rejoin the EU so the 2016 referendum was clearly just a snapshot of public opinion,not necessarily the ‘general will’
questionable mandate evaluation
Losing sides in referendums will
always complain bitterly because they know the binary nature of referendums means complete defeat.
Nevertheless, is not a valid reason for preventing future referendums in the UK.
Both sides know the majority wins. If the Remain or Yes Scotland! campaigns had won in 2016 and 2014 respectively, they would have faced similar calls from the Leave and Better Off Together campaigns.
increased political awareness/literacy
-referendums usually preceded with educative campaigns, in depth campaigns on an issue can increase political literacy and awareness on such an issue and in politics generally
-2016 EU referendum informed many about world trade, the GFA and nature of the EUs institutions
-despite polarisation, the nation emerged more informed and engaged
increased political awareness/literacy evaluation
-Critics suggest that referendums are
as much about misinformation and falsehoods as they are about political education. The most famous piece of misinformation was the Leave campaign’s claim that £350m extra would be available for the NHS – a figure that was disputed by the broadcast media.
representative and direct democracy incompatible
-UK constitution makes parliament sovereign,HOC gains legitimacy and authority of the elections of its 650 MPs,who act as the ‘enlightened conscience’ of the people
-the benefits of a representative system are lost under referendums, experienced elite making decisions in the ‘national interest’ even if unpopular
-referendums are legally only consultative due to parliamentary sovereignty,do not fit with UK Constitution
representative and direct incompatible evaluation
Parliament passes Acts of Parliament
to create each referendum. It can hardly complain later at the result damaging ‘the national interest’ and refuse to implement the ‘General Will of the People’.
