The Use Of Direct Democracy In the UK And The US Is Attractive In Theory But Undesirable In Practice Flashcards
What is direct democracy?
-form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly as opposed to indirectly theory their elected representatives
What are the three main forms of direct democracy?
-ballot initiatives
-recall elections
-referendums
What are ballot initiatives?
-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
What are recall elections?
-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
What are referendums?
-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
What is an advantage of direct democracy in the UK and the US?
-it improves accountability
-by giving people power decide on specific issues it increases transparency + ensures leaders are more responsive to public demands
How is this accountability seen in the UK?
-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
What is an example of direct democracy improving accountability in the UK?
-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
How is this gonna accountability seen in the US?
-improves accountability of state level officials between elections
-esp where promises have been broken or their actions have produced strong opposition
What is an example of this state level accountability in the UK?
-California proposition 64 legalising recreational marijuana 2016
-ballot initiatives compelled state officials act accountable by responding to publics will
What did state official acknowledge regarding this?
-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
How is this gov accountability not desirable in practice?
-referendums are not binding on the gov
-parl sovereignty prevails under the terms of the constitution
What is an example of parl sovereignty prevailing over referendums in the UK?
-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
How is this gov accountability not desirable in practice in the US?
-often simply a political tactic used by ‘sore losers’
-undermines representative gov
What is an example of this being a political tactic used by sore losers in the US?
-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
How else is direct democracy in the UK and the US attractive in theory?
-increases opportunities for political participation
How is this improvement in political participation seen in the UK?
-people participate directly in the decision making process
What is an example of this?
-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
What else did this referendum indicate?
-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
How is this promotion of political participation seen in the US?
-increases opportunities for political participation
-also provides additional opportunities for PGs get involved in decision making
What is an example of participation of PGs?
-NRA publicly backed 2014 measure in Alabama to strengthen second amendment rights
What is an example of the increased opportunities for political participation in the US?
-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
How is this increase in political participation not desirable in practice in the UK?
-lack of political education
-public may not fully understand question they are voting on + elected reps better placed to analyse + evaluate the issue
What is an example of this?
-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
How is this political participation not desirable in practice in the US?
-promoted Democratic overload
-makes ballots long + complicated so depresses participation
How else is direct democracy attractive in theory in the UK and the US?
-it enhances legitimacy in UK
-adds additional check + balances to state executives + legislatures between elections
How does direct democracy enhance gov legitimacy in theory UK?
-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
What is an example of this?
-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
What is an example of direct democracy creating more checks + balances on US gov?
-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
How is this use of direct democracy in theory UK to enhance legitimacy undesirable in practice?
-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
How are the checks and balances undesirable in practice in the US?
-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
