One advantage of Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums Read More With more than 1,000 academic staff researchers and around 80 million new research funding per year, we are dedicated to performing world-leading research with the ultimate goal of improving human health. (23 Jul 2013), Changes to electoral systems/voting from abroad? The contribute demonstrate in eleven main reasons why the turnout requirement should be abolished: the vote should be free and decisive, meaning that citizens who participate in a referendum . Another argument for direct democracy being used more widely in the UK is that it prevents the government and MPs making extremely unpopular decisions . On the other hand, PPC lets you buy prominent positioning on search pages, like Google, potentially bringing much larger audiences to your website. A referendum provides the opportunity to vote on a single-issue. The Scottish referendum on independence had a very high turnout and high levels of popular engagement in the debates. In this referendum 16-year-olds could vote. In total 406 constituencies voted Leave in the Brexit Referendum but only around 160 MPs had voted to leave. In democracy it is generally seen that the ministers become corrupt and they favour their relatives and friends. Detailed lesson on referendums in the UK. They also claim that, since in many countries turnout at referendums is lower than at national elections, the argument that referendums increase the legitimacy of political decisions does not stand up. The chaos seen after the Brexit Referendum result can in part be attributed to the failure to adequately plan for both potential scenarios. This really is another downside associated with having referendums in the UK as arrters may lose interest in politics. In fact, the Government had already tried to use a Referendum in 1973 to settle the Irish issue but it was boycotted by Republicans as they did not feel the settlement it addressed their issues. Moreover in most of these cases it . There is one further type of referendum that also needs recognition and that is unofficial referendums. (22 Aug 2013), Comparative examples of electoral procedures and legislation considering the customary laws of indigenous communities These include: Before the 2016 EU Referendum the question David Cameron preferred was should the UK remain a member of the EU?. They are an example of direct democracy and contrast with the representative democracy that usually dominates politics in liberal democracies. They are used to decide on a particular policy proposal, often of constitutional significance. and then Add to Home Screen. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . Proportional representation (PR) refers to a type of electoral system under which subgroups of an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body. . Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. 98.9% of voters chose to remain in the UK (the referendum was boycotted by nationalists). There are a variety of reasons that a referendum might be held. Another argument advanced in favour of referendums is that they can be used to resolve political problems, particularly for incumbent governments; where a governing party is divided over an issue, for example, holding a referendum can help reach a solution on the issue without splitting the party (one example of this is the 1975 UK referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EC, an issue over which the ruling Labour government was deeply divided). If a government were to offer the people to make a decision on an major issue and then ignore their verdict it would be politically suicidal. Don't use plagiarized sources. Tyranny of the Majority A situation in which power over a decision is given solely to the group in the majority. Advantages and disadvantages of the referendum instrument Several arguments are advanced in support of and in opposition to referendums. First Past the Post does not give equal voting power across the UK. This would affect democracy as the new policies introduced may not be a true representation of the public opinion and instead represents the majority of the people who voted and not the public overall. I know what happens when an industry closes the unemployment, the poverty, the loss of hope, the years it takes to get back on your feet, the grievances that still play out today. Disadvantages. Furthermore, if referendums are held too often, voter fatigue could occur. 2. This makes it different to an election, where the electorate vote for a representative, and where the result might change the government. For fear of recall, they will hesitate to do any undesirable thing. Referendums are held only at the discretion of the Government. In Britain, referendums had been associated with Nazi Germany, where Hitler had use plebiscites to confirm support for his policies such as making himself Fuhrer (1934) and Anschluss (1938). A really good example of this is the Alternative Vote Referendum in 2011. To refer to . Dr Adam Quinn, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, Referendum campaigns themselves can be savagely divisive, especially when the prospect of a narrow victory tempts campaigners to use every argument at their disposal. Background. Edgbaston Revise the impact of the Brexit referendum of 2016 in which the UK voted to leave the European Union, as part of Bitesize Higher Modern Studies Component 1: UK Politics - referendums. Right, so I've got that the adv are: Increases political participation Referendum deals with a flaw in the mandate theory as voters can voice an opinion on a major issue. Depending on the precise rules adopted, referendums and initiatives Society is more likely to accept the decision - if the people have demonstrated their expressed consent they are more likely to agree with the resulting policies and allowing stable government of the people. Referendums are an example of direct democracy, whereas elections are a form of representative democracy. Is a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. Dont know where to start? First described in 1988 1, the number needed to treat (NNT) can be thought of as the number of patients that need to be treated in order for one to benefit.It provides an attractive means of summarising the results of a clinical trial in a single figure, because . Referendum campaigns engage national publics, often passive and sometimes actively excluded, in the business of political debate and decision-making. To this end, the alternatives that are likely to fit best to the sides' interests will be . Several arguments are advanced in support of and in opposition to referendums. This is another disadvantage associated with holding referendums in the UK as voters may lose interest in politics. The advantages and the disadvantages of referendums 'In the wake of the second world war, during the process of decolonisation, several countries broke free from their erstwhile colonial overlords following successful referendums. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like How are opinion polls bad for elections and referendums due to their inaccuracy?, Why do opinion polls bring more disadvantages due to their inaccuracy?, Give 2 examples of when opinion polls were spectacularly wrong and more. The central governent is at Westmi. Call +44 (20) 7633 5430 or email sales.en@ig.com to talk about opening a trading account. The overuse of referendums can undermine the fabric of representative democracy. They are mainly designed to put pressure on a government who may themselves be refusing to offer a referendum. referendums. It could prove Britain's constitutional moment. . This can be seen in how Boris Johnson tried to approach Brexit upon becoming PM in July 2019 when he was willing (or at least appeared to be willing) to risk a No-Deal Brexit in the name of representing the 52% of the UK who voted to leave. If concessions need to be made to those who committed crimes during a conflict, or if a course will impose severe economic costs, or if a divisive point principle is at issue, endorsement by direct popular vote will likely aid political stability, and also bind not just the present government, but those that follow it. Weakens parliament - referendums undermine parliamentary sovereignty, and are decisions that are not made on the basis of deliberation and debate. 5. I failedbut it all flowed from an attempt to do the right thing. The advantages of fibre optic certainly outweigh any disadvantages but it would be disingenuous not to mention the potential issues. -gives more legitimacy that just a simple act of parliament. 2) What are the main a) advantages and b) disadvantages for the UK of an uncodified constitution? It undermined representative democracy. In fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue. One argument for independent schools is that they are like Beacon schools, showcasing the very best of education. To confirm a transfer of powers Referendums will often be held to confirm a transfer of powers. The ultimate role of the whole population in deciding whether the deal sticks can be important in prodding elites, otherwise comfortable and secure in their factional power, to do the harder work of engaging with the bigger political picture. Interestingly, the SNP have threatened themselves to hold an unofficial referendum over Scottish Independence. (28 Dec 2006), EISA - Promoting Credible Elections & Democratic Governance in Africa, United Nations. The older term for a referendum is a PLEBISCITE . They are an example of direct democracy and contrast with the representative democracy that usually dominates politics in liberal democracies. Referendums are a direct vote by citizens on a political issue. Direct democracy: advantages and disadvantages protect elite and incumbent interests at the expense of broader public interests. Referenda provide a clear answer to a question the government might be 'asking'. There are three primary reasons why one might consider referendums a good idea. 5. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. The first UK-wide referendum was held in __1975 __on the United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Community (European Union). In the 2015 General Election UKIP won 12.6% of the votes, taking many votes away from the Conservatives. Reduced government power - provides a check on government power, as the government has less control over the outcome of a referendum than it does over Parliament. In fact, until 1975 there had not been a single nationwide referendum on any political issue. Constitutional changes - it is appropriate that constitutional changes be approved by public referendum, as they affect the way the country is governed, so are more important than ordinary laws. Essay on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Trade. . This would allow him to lead a yes campaign. A REFERENDUM is where the electorate vote on a specific question, or questions. You are free to copy, distribute and transmit the publication, and to remix and adapt it, provided it is only for non-commercial purposes, that you appropriately attribute the publication and that you distribute it under an identical license. 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