Arguments for and against referendums. Arguments for and against the wider use of referendums in the UK 2022-10-27
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A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal or constitutional amendment. Referendums are often used to determine the will of the people on a particular issue, and are often seen as a way to give citizens a direct say in the decision-making process. However, there are both arguments for and against the use of referendums.
One argument in favor of referendums is that they allow for direct democracy. In a representative democracy, elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people. While this system has its benefits, it can also be seen as being somewhat removed from the will of the people. Referendums allow citizens to have a direct say in the decision-making process, rather than simply trusting that their elected representatives are making the right choices. This can lead to a greater sense of ownership and engagement among citizens, as they feel like they have a direct stake in the decisions being made.
Another argument in favor of referendums is that they can help to break deadlocks within government. In a representative democracy, it is not uncommon for there to be disagreement among elected officials on certain issues. This can lead to gridlock and inaction, as no one is able to come to a consensus. A referendum allows the people to break this deadlock by directly deciding on the issue at hand. This can help to move things forward and avoid stalemates.
However, there are also arguments against the use of referendums. One argument is that they can be used as a tool for populist politicians to manipulate the will of the people. If a politician is able to craft the language of a referendum in such a way as to appeal to the emotions of the electorate, it can be very effective at swaying the vote in their favor. This can lead to decisions being made that are not in the best interests of the people, but rather in the interests of a particular politician or political party.
Another argument against referendums is that they can lead to a lack of expertise in the decision-making process. Elected officials are often experts in their fields and are able to bring a level of expertise to the decision-making process that the average citizen does not possess. Referendums can remove this expertise from the process, leading to decisions being made that may not be fully informed.
In conclusion, there are arguments for and against the use of referendums. While they allow for direct democracy and can help to break deadlocks within government, they can also be used as a tool for manipulation and can lead to a lack of expertise in the decision-making process. Ultimately, the decision to use a referendum should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances and the potential consequences of the vote.
Arguments for and against referendums Flashcards by Simon C
Is the government allowed to campaign for the outcome it supports in Ireland, the government is not allowed to campaign ; does it distribute its own promotional material or run government broadcasts outlining its views? Giving his arguments against referendum in the United Kingdom, A. The media also has an influence and if the majority of the press take a side in the referendum campaign then the opposing view may not be heard. Is a referendum required to be held, or has it been initiated by the government, legislature, or citizens? For information on the UK Electoral Commission's approach to referendums questions, click Campaign regulations In relation to the referendum campaign, campaign regulations may be implemented to try to ensure that there is a level playing field between organisations campaigning for and against the referendum. But this why a second referendum is now required. An argument against a referendum is not an argument against democracy.
The case for and against a second Brexit referendum: four experts give their views
. Maybe there needs to be more listening and less dictating about what Brexit actually means. In Uruguay, for example, referendums cannot be held in relation to fiscal policy or laws relating to the executive, whilst in Colombia, political amnesty is barred from being the subject of a referendum. A few have been held on moral issues such as the legalisation of abortion or the prohibition of alcohol. Abrogative referendums are held when citizens force a vote on a piece of new law passed by the legislature, usually by collecting a certain number of signatures in support of a vote, see citizen initiatives. This, along with the fact that people vote for parties for such a wide range of reasons, mean that it is not possible to conclude that peoples policy preferences are the same as the party they vote for Setala 1999: 14-16. People are also able to join political parties yet; again, they are faced with the same problems of ineffectuality.
Arguments for and against the wider use of referendums in the UK
Typically, these will relate to issues of major constitutional or political significance, such as a country's constitution, sovereignty, or international relations. ADVERTISEMENTS: 7 It is beyond the comprehension of the common man to give a sound verdict on the laws: Laws are made by the legislature after full consideration, because very able representatives of the people are in the legislature and the government receives the help of experts. In contrast, the referendum to create a Welsh Assembly gave the institution legitimacy, despite the narrowness of the vote, and time to establish itself so that there was strong support for more powers by the time of the 2011 referendum. They were overruled by majorities in England and Wales. DISRUPTIVE PROTEST VOTES Many voters admitted regretting voting for Leave in the Brexit referendum. Because nobody really knows.
In an initial classification there are three types of referendum as defined by the Britannica Concise Encyclopaedia. The European Union has 502 million citizens. Australia, in fact follows these basic guidelines for holding referendums to great success. The outcome of a mandatory referendum is usually binding. Finer is of the opinion that unintelligent and illiterate people have generally destroyed the progressive laws. Yet referendums, despite all of this are often criticised for the way in which they weaken elected bodies and do not provide a true gauge on public opinion, largely due to media influence.
In conclusion I would say that referendums aren't very good because the people aren't clever enough to make decisions, not everyone votes, the results can be pointless and the issues are oversimplified. In some countries, a referendum will pass if a simple majority of voters vote "yes. There are obviously issues on which it would be inappropriate to have a referendum, taxes are an obvious example; there are complex issues on which the public would probably not have the time or adequate resources to inform themselves on and which have no real affect on them, for example defence policies. Those in favour of referendums generally tend to point out that they; promote political participation and increase voter knowledge on issues as well as helping to strengthen democracy and further legitimate the government. Is the government responsible for framing the question, even in cases when the government initiates the referendum and therefore has an interest in designing the question to increase the chances of achieving its own desired outcome? This has happened in Switzerland many times.
Governments think that by having frequent referendums they are not only involving the public in democracy and reconnecting politics with the people, but also making them more accountable to Parliament and the public. There is no need of referendum for the Bills made carefully. Voters in general elections decide on broad views of what the parties and their leaders are like and what they will do and have done in the past, rather than on particular issues, the consideration of which can tend to get lost. So why ask mechanics, hairstylists, or dentists to do the highly complex work of running the EU? We could just negotiate our own trade deals without being tied to the EU, they argue, and it would not have to take that long. It is fair to say that in the majority of developed political societies people have the opportunity to vote into office representatives whom they believe to share policy views with. ADVERTISEMENTS: 9 Unsuitable for large States: Switzerland is i small country and there is no need for any arrangement for referendum in that country.
It provides a direct way in which people can participate in decisions. A variety of these have been introduced, including asking people in large cities whether they want an elected mayor, whether the council tax should increase by more than the Government permits and to approve a neighbourhood plan. When considering this point one must take into account that referendums should not used in a way that, as many opponents argue, undermines the authority of the elected bodies in a representative democracy. Referendums could be seen in a modern political context as a stepping stone between direct and representative democracy. When final approval of the laws is sought from the people, the majority party cannot make laws arbitrarily because the minority party can rouse the public opinion.
What are the arguments for and against referendums?
He has a good point because he is saying that the average Joe in Britain doesn't have a degree in politics like a number of politicians do, so why are they good enough to make a decision? There is clearly a link between an informed electorate and higher levels of political participation, as Verba, Schlozman and Brady 1995 argue. Those in favour of referendums generally tend to point out that they; promote political participation and increase voter knowledge on issues as well as helping to strengthen democracy and further legitimate the government. Recent additions such as Romania have triggered a huge influx of economic migration from eastern Europe, making the UK a loser in the equation as its comparatively strong economy attracts more and more workers from outside, taking both skilled and unskilled jobs from British people. A second key feature is the issues in relation to which referendums can be held. Nationalists argue Brexit has changed the calculation. However, this is an extreme view that fails to recognise that referendums can be used to aid governments as well as the people, and provide a vital link between the two, as has already been argued. As always you can unsubscribe at any time.
The man or woman in the street has neither the time nor the inclination to read hundreds of pages on permanent structured cooperation or fiscal compacts, so why ask them to make the decisions? This electoral mandate has been called into question on a number of occasions in modern political history, most notably in the US presidential election of 2005 between George W Bush and Al Gore, and again in the UK General Election of 2005. There is therefore a danger that although these officials are elected as representatives, it is only the opposition parties and the checks and balances outlined in constitutions that prevent them from deviating from their original promises. Indeed, this might well be the only way to overcome in EU Ref 2 the emotional divides caused by EU Ref 1. These have included various An argument With a rather hazy destination in the pipeline, Remainers argue that this would justify a revision of the referendum decision. A referendum therefore provides an answer to increasing ways for the electorate to positively participate in politics.
