Democracy - 25 Markers

Question 1

‘The use of direct democracy in both the USA and UK is attractive in theory, but undesirable in practice.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement.

Answer 1

Analysis:

1. Direct democracy provides a direct voice for the people, promoting localism and grassroots democracy:
   
   • Example: Initiatives and referendums in the US allow citizens to directly influence public policy in areas like minimum wage levels, trade union rights, and marijuana legalization.
   • Example: Local referendums in the UK, such as those on congestion charges, enable direct public consultation and decision-making at the local level.
2. It allows for popular checks on government power and encourages civic activism and political engagement:
   
   • Example: The 2014 Scottish referendum saw high voter registration, turnout, and active participation in the campaign, indicating increased civic activism and engagement.
   • Example: The establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly based on a referendum result provided a clear democratic legitimacy to a major constitutional change.
3. Direct democracy reflects changing social and cultural attitudes and can bring important issues to the forefront:
   
   • Example: State votes on gay marriage and drug legalization in the US reflect the evolving social and cultural norms in those areas.
   • Example: The EU Referendum in the UK brought the issue of EU membership to the forefront, leading to a national debate and decision on the matter.
4. Referendums and ballot measures enhance political participation and provide legitimacy to constitutional changes:
   
   • Example: The Good Friday Agreement and the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly received strong public approval through a referendum, providing democratic legitimacy to a significant constitutional change.
   • Example: The Scottish referendum “No” vote in 2014 and the subsequent establishment of the Scottish Parliament added legitimacy to the devolution settlement and addressed the will of the Scottish people.

Evaluation:

1. Direct democracy can be influenced by special interests and wealthy sponsors, potentially undermining the voices of ordinary citizens:
   
   • Example: Criticisms of the EU referendum campaign in the UK include the disproportionate influence of special interests and the lack of accurate information available to voters.
   • Example: In the US, the methods used to collect signatures for ballot initiatives and the dominance of special interests in funding campaigns can raise concerns about the influence of money in direct democracy.
2. Voters lacking political expertise may make decisions on complex matters, leading to unintended consequences and budgetary problems:
   
   • Example: State bond issues in the US, decided through direct democracy, have sometimes resulted in unforeseen budgetary problems due to voters’ limited understanding of the long-term consequences.
   • Example: Kansas and California have faced challenges in managing their budgets as a result of decisions made through direct democracy that did not adequately address the complexities of the issues.
3. Referendums can be used for party political expediency, and governments often call them when they expect a favorable outcome:
   
   • Example: The UK government’s decision to hold the EU membership referendum in 2016 was seen by some as a means to manage party political divisions within the Conservative Party.
   • Example: Governments tend to call referendums in the UK when they anticipate a result that aligns with their preferences, potentially undermining the impartiality and objectivity of the process.
4. Direct democracy campaigns may deepen political divisions and weaken national unity:
   
   • Example: The Brexit referendum in the UK led to a highly divisive and polarized political atmosphere, which disrupted party unity, impacted governance, and challenged the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland.
   • Example: US state ballot measures on contentious issues like abortion, gun control, and religious freedom can deepen political divisions and create a more polarized society.

Additional Points:

• Statistics on voter turnout, such as the high levels seen in the Scottish referendum and the Good Friday Agreement referendum in Northern Ireland.
• Mention of specific ballot measures and

referendums in the US and the UK to illustrate the range of issues and their impact.
- Criticisms of direct democracy, including concerns about the dominance of special interests, the potential for discrimination against minority interests, and the partisan nature of campaigns.
- The unintended consequences of direct democracy, such as budgetary problems and the erosion of representative democracy.
- The potential negative impact on national unity and the broader consequences of deepening political divisions.