03/10/2013
Direct democracy and representative
democracy
 Direct democracy occurs “where the will of the
people is translated into public policy directly by
the people”
 Today, direct democracy is rare. One of the few
examples of direct democracy is a referendum
 Purest form of democracy, but impractical
 Direct democracy is government “by the people”
Advantages and disadvantages of direct
democracy
Advantages
 Purest form of democracy.
Committed democrats are very
much in favour of “government
by the people”
 The will of the people is directly
translated into policy
 Avoids all the problems
associated with representative
democracy (i.e. when
representatives become out of
touch)
Disadvantages
 Impractical as it would be time-
consuming and very costly to
consult the public on a regular
basis
 The people might place shortterm interest over what is good
in the long-run
 The majority could use a
referendum to discriminate
against minorities
 Elected representatives may
know more about an issue than
the general public
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03/10/2013
What is a referendum?
 A form of direct democracy
 A vote by the whole electorate on a specific policy proposal
such as the devolution of power to the Scottish Parliament
 Referendums allows the people (demos) to register their
views on an important constitutional issues
 From 1979 to 1997, the then Conservative government never
held a referendum. Since 1997, referendums have become
increasingly common
 The 1st referendum held in the UK was in 1973
 The only nation-wide referendum held in the UK was in 1975
over the issue of membership to the EC
Referendums in the UK
 1973 – Held in Northern Ireland over the creation of a power-sharing
assembly. The referendum was boycotted by Catholics
Referendums in the UK cont.
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How do referendums work?
 The question is set by the Government
 Parliament calls a referendum
 The Government does not always get its
own way (e.g. devolved assemblies to the
English regions were defeated in 2004)
 Government’s tend to implement the
result. However in practise, it can ignore
the result, as the Danish government did
when the people rejected the Maastricht
Treaty
 Rather than strengthening democracy,
opponents of referendums argue that
they merely reinforce the power of the
executive
Why would the Government hold a
referendum?
 Although it sounds cynical, the government tends to hold a
referendum when it has a good chance of winning
 Due to pressure from various groups (e.g. demands for some
form of Scottish autonomy from Westminster)
 Manifesto commitment
 Because major constitutional issues require the public to
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register their support. This makes the decision appear more
legitimate
To resolve a difficult issue
To encourage greater democracy
To stay in touch with public opinion
As a means by which to side-step divisions within their own
party, as with the EC referendum held in 1975
What is the difference between a referendum,
and an election?
Referendum
 An example of direct
democracy
 Called by Parliament at
irregular intervals
 The choice is either yes, or
no
 The Government does
not, in practise, have to
honour the result.
Election
 An illustration of
representative democracy
 Many different types of
election called at regular
intervals
 Choice between several
candidates representing
various political parties
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Are referendums democratic?
YES
 A form of direct democracy,
which is the purest form of
democracy
 The public can translate their
will directly into public policy
 Can
stimulate interest and
participation in political matters
NO
undermine the
role of elected representatives
 Referendums
 Referendums
primacy
of
sovereignty
challenge the
Parliamentary
 Referendums
have
been
associated
with
extremist
regimes.
The
German
constitution actually forbids the
use of referendums due to their
association with the Nazi party
 Poor turnouts
What are the arguments in favour of
referendums?
 As a form of direct democracy, referendums are more




democratic than holding elections increasing legitimacy
over major issues by encouraging political participation,
stimulating public interest and making consent clear.
Referendums offer a precise answer to a precise question, eg
Scottish independence
Referendums do not undermine parliamentary sovereignty
as the government is, in theory, not bound by the result
On important issues, and especially constitutional issues,
surely it is right for the public to be consulted?
Prevents elected representatives becoming out of touch
with the electorate
What are the arguments in favour of
referendums?
 Can break a ‘logjam’ over frozen issues within parties,
eg EU membership
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What are the arguments against
referendums?
 Some (complex) issues are best left to elected representatives,
rather than the public. The biggest issues in public life are often
too complex to be reduced to Yes/No. Debate is dominated by
those with the most emotive slogans. How can the public decide
rationally on a single European currency if the most highlyqualified experts cannot agree? Eg abortion.
 Referendums are little more than a photograph of public opinion
on a given day, which binds all future generations to that result
(unless parliament calls another referendum)
 The result can be determined by an apathetic public, as in the
case of Welsh devolution where barely a quarter of the electorate
voted in favour of devolution
 Governments can, at least in theory, ignore the result; although
this would be politically difficult to achieve.
What are the arguments against
referendums?
 Referendums are associated with extremist regimes
 Can be used to discriminate against minorities. For
example women gained the vote in Switzerland as recently
as 1971 because until then, only men could vote in a
referendum
 The media can hold excessive influence over the result of a
referendum.
 During a referendum campaign, wealthy groups have an
unfair advantage. This was the case in the 1975 referendum
on the issue of EC membership
 Rather than being a means of enhancing democracy, it
might simply be a way for governments to deal with issues
that divide their party
What are the arguments against
referendums?
 Undermines Parliamentary sovereignty – the core concept of the
UK’s constitution. Scottish or Welsh devolution could not be
reversed by a single vote of the Commons. It would require at
least another referendum. So the sovereignty of parliament has
been limited, if not reversed.
 As the government sets the question (The way the question is
phrased can greatly affect the result, thus rendering the whole
process meaningless), referendums ultimately enhance the
power of the executive Governments usually choose when and if
there is to be a referendum, thus making it very much an
instrument of state power not one of voter-power (except in
states where the “initiative” policy is in place).
 However, the arrival of the independent Electoral Commission
has changed the ground rules here. The EC will have a legal
responsibility to approve whatever question is finally put in front
of the public. It will ensure it is balanced and fair.]
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