Flashcards
Referendums
Cards in this deck (18)
- 1What Is a referendum?A vote that the electorate take on a specific issue
- 2How does history see referendums?With suspicion because leaders can manipulate the voters emotions
- 3Give an example of history when referendums are used in a bad wayHitler uses them to overwrite constitutional protections to consolidate is own powers
- 4Referendums in modern timesMost liberal democracies use them except Germany because they view it suspicion
- 5Why does switzerland use referendums?Huge emphasis placed on local engagement - they decide 20-30 issues a year via referendum
But there is declining turnout for the regular referendums - 6Who gets to call referendums?Powers of initative are usually left the government except claifornia where one can be setup from 100000 signatures
- 7Are all referendums binding?Many are used as binding agreements that are made into legislature however they can be used as a consultative device
- 8Give an example where they are used consultaivelySweden 1955 referendum held on driving on the right instead of the left. 86% were against the motion and the government in 1965 moved any way
- 9Why did the governmeny ignore the outcome?For practical issues which would have benefitted the country. They were already neighbouring countries with states which drive on the left. This chnage would have made it easier for their car companies Saab and Volvo to complete and in turn boosting their economy
- 10Are referendums bad for democracy?They are an expression of the public will, they give an opportunity to particpate in politics other than once every 4-5 years, they are good at looking at pospective new issues for the political agenda.
- 11What does the economist 1992 say about the use of referendums in CaliforniaIt criticises it arguing tht it undermines and devalues representative democracy. for a new governor four fifths of the budget is already premandated making it difficult to create new working budgets
- 12Any solutions?Use of participatory democracy as demostarted in Brazil with budgetting. It has increased turnout from 1000 in 1990 to 40,000 in 1999. The World bank sites this has also improved the lives of some of the poorest in Brazil. They are amongst the highest numbers of people participating
- 13What would you suggest the happy medium is for dmeocracy?Use referendums as a consultative device. This means that they do not have to be binding if the elected representatives don't think its the best decision in light of all the information
- 14What is one of the problems for referendumsSingle issues politics. This means that its dificult to condese such a complex political descion into a yes or no answer which can be the wrong decision in the long run
- 15Give an example of a scholar who talks about a problem with referendums (spell it)Maija Setala
- 16What is the quote she gives"provide citizens with meaningful opportunities to influence without undermining the basic principles of representative democracy
- 17Where is the quote foundThe problems of responsibility and accountability in referendum
- 18What happens when referendums are bindingThey act as a substitute for parliamentary procedures which are in place to allow for meaningful discussion on the topic
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- Flashcards on Referendums , created by Chloe Osei on 17/05/2016.
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- Chloe Osei
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