The case for and against the use of referendums Flashcards
Why are referendums considered the purest form of democracy?
They are uncorrupted by the filter of representative democracy, and therefore purely represent the will of the people
Give an example of a referendum that helped mend a societal rift
The decisive result of the vote on the 1998 Belfast Agreement
Why were the EU elections held in 1975 and 2016?
To try and resolve conflicts within the political system to stave off a crisis
Why is it likely that the result of a referendum will be enacted?
Because it has the expressed consent of the people
Why can it be said that referendums are suitable for contemporary society?
NO guinea pig can compare to me i think thats a jolly good case against a referendum thank you
Why can it be said that referendums are suitable for contemporary society?
People are much more informed than they were in the past, with the internet and social media facilitating this. This makes them more capable of making their own decisions without the help of elected representatives
What could it be said that it is preferable to have decisions made by elected representatives than through referendums?
Because people may not be politically informed enough to understand the complexity of an issue. They are also more likely to be swayed by emotion or misinformation
What was the biggest negative side effect of the Scottish Independence and Brexit referendums?
Cause social rifts
What is the danger of the excessive use of referendums?
It can undermine the authority of elected representatives
What does it mean for a referendum to cause a tyranny of the majority?
The majority can use the vote to force the minority to accept a decision that is against their interests
Why is the yes/no nature of referendums flawed?
Because many political issues are too nuanced and complex for this kind of binary thinking
Why can the 2011 Welsh devolution referendum be seen as a failure?
A low turnout compared to the 2010 and 2015 general elections suggested a lack of voter engagement. The fact that the result reflected the manifesto pledges of the major parties anyway suggested it was both unpopular and unnecessary
Why was the AV referendum held in 2011?
It was a compromise between the Lib Dem’s desire for electoral reform and the Conservative’s desire to maintain the current system
Why can the arguement be made that the matter of the AV should have just been left to elected representatives?
The low turnout and decisive vote against change
Why did the University of Essex say the AV was rejected in 2011?
Because when people are ill-informed about an issue but still feel a duty to participate in the decision making process the natural reaction is to support the status quo
Why were the SNP allowed to hold their independence referendum in 2014?
Because they achieved a majority in Holyrood, which effectively gave them a mandate to do so
Why can the 2014 Scottish independence referendum be seen as a success?
- Turnout was higher than in any other elections, showing an increase in participation and engagement
- The issue was widely and hotly debated, increasing political education and engagement in Scotland. So much so that turnout has been higher in recent elections
- The people of Scotland were able to determine their own course on a clear issue in a way that the Scottish MPs in Westminster could not
When did the SNP choose to hold the independence referendum to influence voters?
- Shortly after the Glasgow commonwealth games
- A week after the anniversary of the battle of Stirling Bridge
- In the year of the 700th anniversary of the Scottish defeat of the English at the Battle of Bannockburn
Why did the SNP allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote?
Because they were more likely to vote in favour of independence than older voters
What does the way the SNP managed the Scottish independence referendum suggest about referendums?
They are open to manipulation
What made David Cameron pledge to hold the Brexit referendum?
As a result of UKIP making gains in opinion polls and divisions within the Conservative party
How was the Brexit referendum useful in forcing representatives to keep up with public opinion?
Because although a majority of MPs supported the EU, it was now clear a majority of those who voted did not
What happened in the months following the Brexit referendum that suggested a tyranny of the majority?
The police reported an increased number of hate crimes perpetrated agianst minority groups
Why do some people believe that the British public voters supported Brexit?
They were misled by false campaigning and manipulation
