1a kno how on direct democracy & referendum
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Direct democracy and representative democracy
Direct democracy occurs “where the will of the people is translated into public policy directly by the people”
Today, direct democracy is rare. One of the few examples of direct democracy is a referendum
Purest form of democracy, but impractical
Direct democracy is government “by the people”
Advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy
Advantages Purest form of democracy.
Committed democrats are very much in favour of “government by the people”
The will of the people is directly translated into policy
Avoids all the problems associated with representative democracy (i.e. when representatives become out of touch)
Disadvantages Impractical as it would be
time-consuming and very costly to consult the public on a regular basis
The people might place short-term interest over what is good in the long-run
The majority could use a referendum to discriminate against minorities
Elected representatives may know more about an issue than the general public
What is a referendum?A form of direct democracyA vote by the whole electorate on a specific policy
proposal such as the devolution of power to the Scottish Parliament
Referendums allows the people to register their views on an important constitutional issues
From 1979 to 1997, the then Conservative government never held a referendum. Since 1997, referendums have become increasingly common
The 1st referendum held in the UK was in 1973The only nation-wide referendum held in the UK
was in 1975 over the issue of membership to the EC
Referendums in the UK 1973 – Held in Northern Ireland over the creation of a
power-sharing assembly. The referendum was boycotted by Catholics
Referendums in the UK cont.
How do referendums work?The question is set by the
GovernmentParliament calls a referendumThe Government does not always
get its own way (e.g. devolved assemblies to the English regions were defeated in 2004)
Government’s tend to implement the result. However in practise, it can ignore the result, as the Danish government did when the people rejected the Maastricht Treaty
Rather than strengthening democracy, opponents of referendums argue that they merely reinforce the power of the executive
Why would the Government hold a referendum?Although it sounds cynical, the government tends to hold
a referendum when it has a good chance of winningDue to pressure from various groups (e.g. demands for
some form of Scottish autonomy from Westminster)Manifesto commitmentBecause major constitutional issues require the public to
register their support. This makes the decision appear more legitimate
To resolve a difficult issueTo facilitate greater democracyTo stay in touch with public opinionAs a means by which to side-step divisions within their
own party, as with the EC referendum held in 1975
What is the difference between a referendum, and an election?
ReferendumAn illustration of
direct democracyCalled by Parliament
at irregular intervalsThe choice is either
yes, or noThe Government does
not, in practise, have to honour the result.
ElectionAn illustration of
representative democracy
Many different types of election called at regular intervals
Choice between several candidates representing various political parties
Are referendums democratic?YES
A form of direct democracy, which is the purest form of democracy
The public can translate their will directly into public policy
Can stimulate interest and participation in political matters
NO Referendums undermine
the role of elected representatives
Referendums challenge the primacy of Parliamentary sovereignty
Referendums have been associated with extremist regimes. The German constitution actually forbids the use of referendums due to their association with the Nazi party
What are the arguments in favour of referendums?
As a form of direct democracy, referendums are more democratic than holding elections increasing legitimacy over major issues by encouraging political participation, stimulating public interest and making consent clear.
Referendums offer a precise answer to a precise question, eg Scottish independence
Referendums do not undermine parliamentary sovereignty as the government is, in theory, not bound by the result
On important issues, and especially constitutional issues, surely it is right for the public to be consulted?
Prevents elected representatives becoming out of touch with the electorate
What are the arguments in favour of referendums?
Can break a ‘logjam’ over frozen issues within parties, eg EU membership
What are the arguments against referendums?Some (complex) issues are best left to elected
representatives, rather than the public. The biggest issues in public life are often too complex to be reduced to Yes/No. Debate is dominated by those with the most emotive slogans. How can the public decide rationally on a single European currency if the most highly-qualified experts cannot agree? Eg abortion.
Referendums are little more than a photograph of public opinion on a given day, which binds all future generations to that result (unless parliament calls another referendum)
The result can be determined by an apathetic public, as in the case of Welsh devolution where barely a quarter of the electorate voted in favour of devolution
Governments can, at least in theory, ignore the result; although this would be politically difficult to achieve.
What are the arguments against referendums?
Referendums are associated with extremist regimesCan be used to discriminate against minorities. For
example women gained the vote in Switzerland as recently as 1971 because until then, only men could vote in a referendum
The media can hold excessive influence over the result of a referendum.
During a referendum campaign, wealthy groups have an unfair advantage. This was the case in the 1975 referendum on the issue of EC membership
Rather than being a means of enhancing democracy, it might simply be a way for governments to deal with issues that divide their party
What are the arguments against referendums?
Undermines Parliamentary sovereignty – the core concept of the UK’s constitution. Scottish or Welsh devolution could not be reversed by a single vote of the Commons. It would require at least another referendum. So the sovereignty of parliament has been limited, if not reversed.
As the government sets the question (The way the question is phrased can greatly affect the result, thus rendering the whole process meaningless), referendums ultimately enhance the power of the executive Governments usually choose when and if there is to be a referendum, thus making it very much an instrument of state power not one of voter-power (except in states where the “initiative” policy is in place).
However, the arrival of the independent Electoral Commission has changed the ground rules here. The EC will have a legal responsibility to approve whatever question is finally put in front of the public. It will ensure it is balanced and fair.]