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
