Evaluate the view that referendums are a worse form of democracy than elections

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Legitimacy
• Representation
• Cohesion

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Referendums are arguably seen as the purest form of democracy, however, they cannot be used as a sole form of democratic participation, therefore, it can be said referendums should be used to enhance democracy - making them worse for democracy than elections

Question 3

Legitimacy - Referendums - Point

Answer 3

Referendums are a pure form of direct democracy, whereby a decision is voted for entirely by the people. This means the outcome of this provides massive legitimacy to the government

Question 4

Legitimacy - Referendums - Examples

Answer 4

• The Conservative Party was hugely divided over the EU, but the EU referendum whereby 52% of the electorate voted to leave gave May and Johnson legitimacy within their party
• The 2011 Extension of Devolution to Wales Referendum reinforced the party’s decision to increase devolved power to the Welsh Parliament

Question 5

Legitimacy - Elections - Point

Answer 5

The result of referendums are not binding on a government and can be disregarded, and referendums may give legitimacy from the peole, but not alway from the governing party

Question 6

Legitimacy - Elections - Examples

Answer 6

• After the result of the 2016 EU Referendum, Labour and some Conservative MPs were calling for a second referendum
• The Conservative Party still faced massive divisions between those who wanted a ‘soft’ Brexit and a ‘hard’ Brexit

Question 7

Representation - Referendums - Point

Answer 7

As referendums are a form of direct democracy this means they are the purest form of representation there is, unlike FPTP

Question 8

Representation - Referendums - Examples

Answer 8

• In referendums a simple majority is need, and each vote holds the same amount of weight. The results are always in line with the popular vote - AV Referendum, 67.9% voted ‘no’ and Scottish Independence Referendum, 55.3% voted ‘remain’
• In the 2019 general election, the Conservatives won 43.6% of the popular vote by this led to 56.2% of the seats in Parliament

Question 9

Representation - Elections - Point

Answer 9

While referendums may be a pure form of representation, it also leads to problems - noteably ‘the tyranny of the majority’

Question 10

Representation - Elections - Examples

Answer 10

• The need for a simple majority means that referendums can be won with only the slightest majority - the EU Referendum was won by 2% and this is marginal considering the impact
• Turnout at referendums can be low - the turnout for the AV referendum was 42.2% and was only 35.6% for the Welsh Devolution referendum

Question 11

Cohesion - Referendums - Point

Answer 11

Referendums can be used in a way in which elections cannot - to resolve difference between different group, that can be within a party or within the country

Question 12

Cohesion - Referendums - Examples

Answer 12

• The EU Referendum is a prime example as it was used as a device to settle the arguments once and for all and promote cohesion within the Conservative Party
• In Scotland, there was social divisions about whether Scotland should be indpendent or not - the referendum helped to solve this

Question 13

Cohesion - Elections - Point

Answer 13

It is far too idealistic to assume that the use of referendums solves divisions within society - if anything it can lead to the break down of cohesion

Question 14

Cohesion - Elections - Examples

Answer 14

• The closeness of the EU referendum led to much debate between all political parties as to whether there should be a second referendum - it also did not solve Conservative divisions
• The results of the EU referendum also led to renewed calls for Scottish independence with the SNP’s ex-leader Nichola Sturgeon being particularly vocal