Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Referenda
- A referendum is a popular vote on a particular
policy issue of importance by the electorate
- Features
- Yes or No answers
to a single question
- In the UK the vote is not binding as its only a
constituational convention (because parliament is
sovereign)
- Its a form of direct
democracy
- Arguments FOR the use of
Referenda
- Consulting the
people is more
democratic
- They promote public
participation
- They limit
government power
- The people have a say on issues
which affect them directly
- Arguments AGAINST the use of Referenda
- Parliament is meant to be sovereign so
goes against parliaments responsibility
- Public may not know enough regarding
complex issues so should leave it to experts
- Public opinion
changes quickly
- Question may be manipulated by the standing
government e.g. wording, or only having the
referendum if they are sure of winning it