The Use Of Direct Democracy In the UK And The US Is Attractive In Theory But Undesirable In Practice

Question 1

What is direct democracy?

Answer 1

-form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly as opposed to indirectly theory their elected representatives

Question 2

What are the three main forms of direct democracy?

Answer 2

-ballot initiatives
-recall elections
-referendums

Question 3

What are ballot initiatives?

Answer 3

-laws or measures proposed by voters
-if enough signatures obtained it’s placed in the ballot at election time
-been held over vast array of issues in US incl. over legalisation of same sex marriage 2015

Question 4

What are recall elections?

Answer 4

-voters can force elected state official such as mayor or governor to face re-election before full term expired
-Repub governor Scott Walker - high profile recall bid 2012 in opposition to legislation curtailed bargaining rights of public sector workers

Question 5

What are referendums?

Answer 5

-occur when state legislature passes law but is then required submit this directly to voters for approval
-2018 Alabama where 78% voters supported amendment to state constitution allowing display of ten commandments in state courthouses

Question 6

What is an advantage of direct democracy in the UK and the US?

Answer 6

-it improves accountability
-by giving people power decide on specific issues it increases transparency + ensures leaders are more responsive to public demands

Question 7

How is this accountability seen in the UK?

Answer 7

-elected reps or gov can’t ignore wishes of the people
-can sometimes provide useful corrective when MPs views out of step with the country

Question 8

What is an example of direct democracy improving accountability in the UK?

Answer 8

-Brexit referendum 2016
-allowed citizens express their views directly on this signif issue empowering electorate demonstrating major constitutional decisions be taken firefly by people + not left solely to representatives

Question 9

How is this gonna accountability seen in the US?

Answer 9

-improves accountability of state level officials between elections
-esp where promises have been broken or their actions have produced strong opposition

Question 10

What is an example of this state level accountability in the UK?

Answer 10

-California proposition 64 legalising recreational marijuana 2016
-ballot initiatives compelled state officials act accountable by responding to publics will

Question 11

What did state official acknowledge regarding this?

Answer 11

-growing support for legalisation reflected shifting societal attitudes
-instead of imposing own preferences they allowed voters to decide through ballot initiatives + then quickly implemented public decision

Question 12

How is this gov accountability not desirable in practice?

Answer 12

-referendums are not binding on the gov
-parl sovereignty prevails under the terms of the constitution

Question 13

What is an example of parl sovereignty prevailing over referendums in the UK?

Answer 13

-2011 UK AV referendum resulting in ‘no’ vote 67.9%
-referendum non-binding + critics argued the referendum designed to fail as AV already an unpopular + flawed alternative - deliberate move by parl to control scope of reform while appealing give public a say

Question 14

How is this gov accountability not desirable in practice in the US?

Answer 14

-often simply a political tactic used by ‘sore losers’
-undermines representative gov

Question 15

What is an example of this being a political tactic used by sore losers in the US?

Answer 15

-proposition 200 Arizona 2004 - voter instituted law aiming address voter identification requirements + safeguard against provisions requiring voters show id at the polls
-Arizona sec of state sought undermine it as unhappy with outcome as felt harder for certain populations to vote - violated NVRA

Question 16

How else is direct democracy in the UK and the US attractive in theory?

Answer 16

-increases opportunities for political participation

Question 17

How is this improvement in political participation seen in the UK?

Answer 17

-people participate directly in the decision making process

Question 18

What is an example of this?

Answer 18

-2014 Scottish independence referendum
-turnout of 84.6% one of highest in any UK election or referendum
-indicated issue of Scottish independence deeply resonated with voters motivating large portion engage with democratic process

Question 19

What else did this referendum indicate?

Answer 19

-first time 16-17 yr olds allowed vote in national referendum encouraging great political participation among young generation
-more likely vote for independence meaning their voices were directly heard in the debate

Question 20

How is this promotion of political participation seen in the US?

Answer 20

-increases opportunities for political participation
-also provides additional opportunities for PGs get involved in decision making

Question 21

What is an example of participation of PGs?

Answer 21

-NRA publicly backed 2014 measure in Alabama to strengthen second amendment rights

Question 22

What is an example of the increased opportunities for political participation in the US?

Answer 22

-Colorado legalisation of marijuana in amendment 64 2012
-citizen driven campaign allowing 21+ consume marijuana legally attracting wide range of citizens with chance to shape their states policies in an area traditional controlled by legislatures

Question 23

How is this increase in political participation not desirable in practice in the UK?

Answer 23

-lack of political education
-public may not fully understand question they are voting on + elected reps better placed to analyse + evaluate the issue

Question 24

What is an example of this?

Answer 24

-2016 Brexit referendum highlighted confusion over consequences of leaving
-such as claim leaving result in additional £350m per yr for NHS but this was debunked
-also remain + leave campaigns criticised failing clearly communicate furniture of UK post Brexit both sides offering simplistic args

Question 25

How is this political participation not desirable in practice in the US?

Answer 25

-promoted Democratic overload
-makes ballots long + complicated so depresses participation

Question 26

How else is direct democracy attractive in theory in the UK and the US?

Answer 26

-it enhances legitimacy in UK
-adds additional check + balances to state executives + legislatures between elections

Question 27

How does direct democracy enhance gov legitimacy in theory UK?

Answer 27

-decisions have direct authority + mandate of the people
-gives greater legitimacy - when people vote they may not necessarily agree with all politics in party manifesto

Question 28

What is an example of this?

Answer 28

-2011 Welsh devolution referendum
-gave people of wales direct vote determine powers + responsibilities of their elected reps
-gov acknowledging legitimacy of Welsh electorate in deciding the degree of political autonomy wales should have

Question 29

What is an example of direct democracy creating more checks + balances on US gov?

Answer 29

-1992 Colorado voters passed proposition 2 - Taxpayer bill of rights placing strict limits on amount revenue state gov collect + send
-direct check on state gov ability raise taxes + increase spending by requiring voter approval for any tax increases preventing legislature making tax + spending decisions without broad public consent

Question 30

How is this use of direct democracy in theory UK to enhance legitimacy undesirable in practice?

Answer 30

-turnout is often low for referendums like that for introduction of AV 2011 with 42% + NI border poll 44.2%
-reducing any notion of democratic legitimacy + concerns about whether results accurately reflect views of broader population

Question 31

How are the checks and balances undesirable in practice in the US?

Answer 31

-enough checks + balances already enhanced by the separation of powers (use SL)
-governors have a veto + it simply adds another opportunity for stalemate + stalling over important issues - limiting ability state gov do their jobs properly