Referendums

• Do elections enhance democracy FOR

  • allow electoral to hold government account
  • create representation assemblies
  • FPTP strong and stable government
  • confidence that elections are well regulated and outcomes are the genuine will of the people
• Do elections enhance democracy AGAINST

  • FPTP majority government
  • votes are varied between smaller parties
  • too many elections will lead to voter apathy and declining turnout
  • elections cause social rifts and attacks
• 2011 AV Referendum 


  Turnout - 42%

  Yes - 41%

  No - 68%
• 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum 


  Turnout - 84%

  Yes - 45%

  No - 55%
• 2016 Brexit Referendum 


  Turnout 72%

  Yes - 51%
• • 1975: Should the UK remain in the EEC = 67.2% YES.
  • 1998: Should the Belfast Agreement be implemented = 71.7% YES.
  • 2014: Should Scotland be an independent country = 55.3% NO.
• Advantages of referendums

  • Demonstrate the pure and popular will of the people.
  • Referendums can mend societal rifts, such as in Northern Ireland.
  • Referendums can resolve political questions, such as the UK's status within the EU.
  • Can serve as a 'litmus test' to gain the expressed consent of the people such as the devolution referendums in 1997.
  • Arguably voters are much more well-informed now due to social media and political education.
• Disadvantages

  • Voters lack the political knowledge to understand complex issues like leaving the EU.
  • Referendums can ignite social rifts; such as in Scotland after the failure of the 2014 IndyRef and the 2016 Brexit Referendum.
  • Excessive use of referendums can undermine representative democracy.
  • Referendums represent 'tyranny of the majority' ; in 2016, Scottish voters argued they were being taken out of EU against their will by the English majority.
  • Voters can be manipulated by the media and politicians by emotions.
  • Referendums reduce complex issues to binary questions.