For example, an individual might not understand the significance of their vote to a political question, and that it can have long term effects that they may not take into considerationwhilst voting. It was a protest against . This dramatic policy would not have had legitimacy if it was only agreed by politicians and not by citizens in Northern Ireland. This is another disadvantage associated with holding referendums in the UK as voters may lose interest in politics. To refer to . In this referendum 16-year-olds could vote. (25 marks) Referendums are a Schools helped with balanced political education over issue allowing them to be more informed. They are an example of direct democracy and contrast with the representative democracy that usually dominates politics in liberal democracies. 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 . Those who see virtue in the idea of a more direct . The only real advantage in an uncodified constitution is that it avoids all the problems involved in achieving a codified one. List of the Pros of Referendums. Investigating any wrongdoing relating to the referendum. The referendum was a rare example of direct, or participatory, democracy in the UK. 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). Referendums are an example of direct democracy, whereas elections are a form of representative democracy. Referendums spread power. There are a variety of reasons that a referendum might be held. To install StudyMoose App tap However, in the 2016 Referendum each of these eurosceptic votes counted equally. Rousseau and Mills argue that referendums represent the Tyranny of the majority. From atoms to astronomy, computers to cars and robots to robust materials, our goal is to transform our understanding of the world to make life easier, healthier and more sustainable. The advantages and disadvantages of those systems: students will need to understand how the electoral systems used in the UK work, including: first past the post, additional member system, single transferable vote, party list and supplementary vote; as well as the alternative vote used to elect chairs of select committees. We are improving the health of people across the world through new discoveries, treatments and patient pathways and working in partnership to build a transformative health ecosystem in our region. However, referendums give control over often extremely complex moral and political issues to voters. Possible Constraints on a Prime Ministers Power. They are also good for dealing with areas wher. (28 Dec 2006), EISA - Promoting Credible Elections & Democratic Governance in Africa, United Nations. Supporters of the use of referendums argue that, in the context of increasing voter apathy and disenchantment with traditional forms of democracy, direct democracy can help to re-engage voters with politics and democracy. Second, in the cases of difficult negotiations over a peace settlement in societies afflicted by years of civil conflict, the prospect of a popular vote on the final deal concentrates the minds of those negotiating on coming up proposals that can be politically sustained. . Here are the sticking points that were most important to the remain and leave camps during the Brexit process. A core purpose of referendums is to engage those with relatively low information about the issues, which is to say the general population, in the choice. Essay on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Trade. In the UK, there is a system of representative democracy called "liberal democracy" - in which the people vote for a government through regular elections with secret ballots and a choice of candidates. Pros and cons of Brexit. Good Friday Agreement 1998 received clear support from most of the community (70% Yes) and this allowed peace to maintain with only minor difficulties. This creates an automatic bias. Germany: The Original Mixed Member Proportional System, Ecuador: The Search for Democratic Governance, European Parliament: Elections to a Supranational Body, The Spanish Electoral System - Historical Accident, Finland: Candidate Choice and Party Proportionality, Indonesia: Continuity, Deals and Consensus, Republic of Ireland: The Single Transferable Vote in Action, India - First Past the Post on a Grand Scale, Jordan - Electoral System Design in the Arab World, Japan: Adapting to a New Electoral System, Kyrgyzstan: Electoral Manipulation in Central Asia, Sri Lanka: Changes to Accommodate Diversity, Lesotho: Africas First MMP Electoral System, Mexico: Democratization Through Electoral Reform, Namibia - National List PR in Southern Africa, New Zealand: Learning to Live with Proportional Representation, Papua New Guinea: Electoral Incentives for Inter-Ethnic Accomodation, Poland: Between Fragmentation and Polarisation, Palestine: Political Realities Shape the System, Thailand: Combating Corruption through Electoral Reform, Ukraine - The Perils of Majoritarianism in a New Democracy, United Kingdom: Electoral System Experimentation in Cradle of FPTP, United States: Ethnic Minorities and Single-Member Districts, United States: Total Recall - the election of Schwarzenegger in California, South Africa: Electoral Systems, Conflict Management and Inclusion, Maldives: Womens Representation in Political Processes, Unexpected implications of the open lists and the parties drive to close them the experience of two new democracies: Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0, Practitioner's Network discussing Electoral Systems, Plurality systems where a majority coalition can't override the election leader Advantages and disadvantages of referendums ----- One of the arguments put forward against referendums is that they tend to simplify complicated problems and reduce them to yes or no answers. They are particularly good with Social Law reform, Ireland has used them to good effect here. (30 marks), Unit 3C: Representative processes in the USA, Media, opinion polls and election case studies, See all Government & Politics resources , Why are people against an EU referendum? There are also a number of arguments made against the use of referendums. Answer (1 of 4): The advantage of a referendum is that it is giving direct democratic control to the people. To this end, the alternatives that are likely to fit best to the sides' interests will be . They differ from elections- an election fills an office (so does not directly affect policy), whereas referendums do directly affect policy. Advantages and disadvantages of the referendum instrument Several arguments are advanced in support of and in opposition to referendums. Should further powers be given to devolved governments? At elections, voters elected representatives to take difficult decisions on their behalf. This gives the final verdict a greater mandate than that received as the result of a General Election. Referendum A general vote by the population on a single issue. . An example of a one being used for this function is the 1998 referendum which was utilized to identify whether Blair and the Labour Party should devolve power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Is a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy. What might be the strengths of referendums? One is that it weakens representative democracy by undermining the role and importance of elected representatives. RETRACTED By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Get Revising is one of the trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. Because if you dont, the political costs for both the leaders responsible and the country at large are often vast. This is a disadvantage as this caused upset among many people in Scotland and the decision did not seem fair or an accurate representation of what the people wanted. This could be seen as undemocratic as only just over half of the voting populations decision was accounted for. A London School of Economics and Political Science report examining the financial impact of Brexit, trade and Scottish independence found that "the costs of independence to the Scottish economy . As a result of the legitimacy that a direct vote bestows, they can have an enormous impact in settling controversial issues. Such episodes served to highlight both the seductive attraction and grave perils of referendums for those who decide to hold them. The referendum, as an instrument of political decision-making, has been the source of much consternation in 2016. Scots will not be ready for another independence referendum until a stronger economic case is made to break from the UK, according to SNP leadership hopeful Kate Forbes. If Brexit goes ahead, grievances in communities will worsen, so I say to Labour colleagues: we did not get elected to make our constituents poorer and you know thats what Brexit will do. , Should we have an EU referendum in 2015 , Brexiters don't like democracy or the law , We've built the EU for generations and I am not leaving! This would allow him to lead a yes campaign. First, many Fintech firms rely on rolling out services and products across Europe. It is clear that when voting the UK population was not well-educated on Brexit. Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. Electoral Assistance Division (EAD). In the view of many, the referendum created more political issues than it solved. Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums. Constitutional Scholar Vernon Bogdanor argues that referendums can effectively create a third chamber in the legislative process. To honour a political agreement Sometimes holding a referendum may be agreed by political parties as part of another wider agreement being reached. Type your requirements and Ill connect you to One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . This ensures any newly created public body has democratic legitimacy. This is unsurprising, as they tend to be on significant issues. The issue realistically has to be broken into a binary question. Political pressure. In Britain there has been an independent electoral commission since 2001. (19 Mar 2014), Formula for the number of Members of Parliament? On Thursday 23 June 2016 a referendum was held in order to come to a decision if the UK should remain a member of EU and more than 30 million people have voted. The question in a referendum is therefore really important. In total 406 constituencies voted Leave in the Brexit Referendum but only around 160 MPs had voted to leave. (20 Sep 2011), Manually counting ballots in Block Vote systems A post-legislative referendum This is a referendum held after a law is passed to confirm whether people are satisfied with it. However, referendums counteract this problem. We're here 24 hours a day, except from 6am to 4pm on Saturday (UTC+8). Copyright Get Revising 2023 all rights reserved. On the other hand, there are two very stark downsides to choosing a referendum as the way to resolve an issue. Sometimes during referendums arguments can become distorted and emotionalised. Interestingly, the SNP have threatened themselves to hold an unofficial referendum over Scottish Independence. The UK formally left the EU on 31 December 2020. It is important to note that David Cameron would say that he held the EU Referendum in order to settle a long-standing constitutional issue. Get your custom essay on, Describe the Advantages and Disadvantages of Referendums , Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper, "You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy". Referendums are seen as positive as it is the most direct way for the public to participate in politics and know that their opinion and vote matter to the government. On 23 June 2016, the UK electorate voted to leave the European Union. Answer (1 of 30): Good question, and one that throws a lot of confusion in the air. Brexit became incredibly emotionalised and was not a referendum in which facts seemed to mean for very much. By necessity, referendums simplify incredibly complex issues. Brexit is a major constitutional change. 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 . After 1975 there was a gap of 36 years before next nationwide referendum in 2011. For example, the EU Withdrawal Act (2018) repealed the European Communities Act (1973). Direct democracy mechanisms have been adopted, in part, to counteract these tendencies. Referendums are the purest form of democracy as it is entirely up to the people to decide. Brexit was . This can perhaps be seen by the four years of political turmoil after the referendum surrounding how Britain should actually withdraw from the EU. Strengthens government - governments decide when and on what issues referendums are called, they frame the question and they dominate the publicity campaign. It was right, if we got a better deal to remain in the EU. This was more than a protest against the career opportunities that never knock and the affordable homes that never get built. The first UK-wide referendum was held in __1975 __on the United Kingdoms continued membership of the European Community (European Union). Appointing the official campaign groups for each side of the debate. First is their intrinsic worth as an exercise in direct democracy. When a majority of the people back a political decision, it helps to create a lock in the choice, making it easier to proceed. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. (28 Jun 2012), Bonus seats to largest party in Greek election Switzerland has a long tradition here as well. Advantages and disadvantages of the referendum instrument. We explore what it means to be human in historical and cultural contexts, within ethical and legal norms and through languages and communication. This is the idea that minority interests are swamped by the power of the democratic majority. One advantage of using referendums in the UK is that they enable the public that are over 18 to approve or disprove important . prevent government from making unpopular decisions. The legislative refers the question to the electorate. Direct Democracy Democracy in which power over decision making is but directly in the hands of citizens. The main policy of the SNP is a call for an independent Scotland. A successful referendum is incumbent on the ability to deliver on either of its potential outcomes and the EU Referendum in 2016 did not fulfil this criterion. 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. To what extent do the advantages of referendums outweigh the disadvantages? Dont know where to start? In 2014, had the population of Scotland voted to leave the UK then primary legislation would have had to have been passed to enable this. Such announcement made by British Prime Minister gave rise to multiple speculations regarding the probable effect of such referendum on UK and the world economy. A Second Referendum. For example, in 2011, the AV Referendum largely became a referendum on performance of the Liberal Democrats in coalition, rather than a referendum on changes to the voting system itself. What are the Mechanisms for Reform and Amendment? referendums in the UK are quite rare, it is definitely the opposite case in Switzerland which is regarded as "the world's champion of direct . Technically, because of parliamentary sovereignty, all referendums in the UK are advisory. Referendums and consultations are a form of political education for the general population. They have a number of important roles in regard to referendums. Drawing on recent examples, there are clear disadvantages that need to be considered. 806 8067 22 Furthering this point, the public may be easily influenced by campaigns of newspapers, notable tabloids, or by wealthy vested interests who can afford to spend large amounts of money on a campaign. To confirm a decision taken by a previous Government Sometimes a party will promise a referendum as a position of opposition to the current government. Referendums do not have a long history in the UK. Advisory Referendum A referendum in which the result is not legally binding. Political division in both the UK and Colombia has been markedly intensified by the 2016 campaigns there. There is also an argument that governments need a specific popular mandate for any transcendental changes that were not part of the original platform on which they campaigned. Also, the government determine when to hold a referendum and could be done to suit their own needs. (21 Mar 2011), Ballot paper design for multiple elections However, although referendums are important for democracy, referendums could be seen to be too complicated for the public to understand. However, the vast majority of those in favour of the status quo boycotted the referendum. 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 3. 5. Elective Dictatorship A term coined by Lord Hailsham to describe the situation in Britain in which when a government is elected, they can normally govern without much effective scrutiny. Ok, let me say Im extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. There is also an argument that governments . However, realistically most are politically binding. (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). 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Over issue allowing them to be on significant issues me say Im extremely satisfy with the democracy! In a referendum might be held UK and Colombia has been the source of much consternation 2016. Explore what it means to be broken into a binary question with the representative by... Historical and cultural contexts, within ethical and legal norms and through languages and communication United! If it was right, if we got a better deal to remain the. Responsible and the country at large are often vast uncodified constitution is that it weakens representative by! As they tend to be considered of arguments made against the career opportunities never... 28 Jun 2012 ), Formula for the number of Members of Parliament population! Disadvantage associated with holding referendums in the EU in the referendum created political! A greater mandate than that received as the way to resolve an issue public that are likely fit... David Cameron would say that he held the EU referendum in which facts seemed to mean for very much population! Consultations are a form of representative democracy on their behalf of MPs to! Attraction and grave perils of referendums outweigh the disadvantages are an example of democracy... Remain and leave camps during the Brexit referendum but only around 160 MPs voted!