Edexcel Government & Politics - Unit 1 06/06/16

Ahaha sorry, wasn't trying to offend. Just read the examiners report for that year and loads of students fell into that trap of just talking about referendums so lost loads of marks. Was just trying to prevent that.

No, no, don't be fooled. It is not just about referendums, it is about all direct democracy things. I've done this essay plan so here it is:

Direct democracy is a form of democracy that gives the people themselves unmediated control over policy formulation and implementation. Dealing election turnout and the increase in pressure group membership has seen the wider use of direct democracy in the UK.

Direct democracy promotes political participation and combats voter apathy. Citizens juries and referendums make the public more actively involved - increasing political awareness and education. One of the major advantages of citizens’ juries is that, unlike referendums and opinion polls, they operate through deliberation and debate. Participants are not just asked to express opinions. Instead, they are required engage in discussion, possibly assisted by a neutral adviser, and have the opportunity to scrutinise information and even to cross-examine witnesses. Through such mechanisms, an informed and ‘mature’ sense of public opinion is developed. This significantly widens the traditional view of citizenship, helping to overcome one of the key drawbacks traditionally associated with direct democracy.

Direct democracy’s representative feature also saves the electorate from a tyrannical government which could become unaccountable and receive little checks and balances other than in the form of elections. The greater use of referendums limits government power as they have little control over its outcome. Pressure groups activity and public support also restrain the government as they fear to lose electoral support if they do not adhere to the aims of a pressure group. Increases in pressure group membership indicates the electorates need to influence government policy and the wider use of direct democracy could do so.

However, the greater use of direct democracy could also cause concerns. The wider use of referendums means a politically unaware electorate may make constitutional changes with long term and far reaching effects. Referendums also undermine Parliament and the accountability of the government to make informed decisions on the benefits of the people. Government’s control over when and what issues referendums are addressing, as well as influencing campaigns limits is effectiveness. It has been reported that the government have spent £9m on leaflets to every home concerning the upcoming EU referendum. Pressure groups increase political inequality as already powerful sections of society gain influence to government and are unaccountable to the public as they are unelected. The consultation of pressure groups with government also undermine Parliament as the deliberative chamber, not serving its responsibilities and representative features.

Citizens juries only represent a small section of society and are ineffective as government are able to portray the idea of a ‘listening government’ without having to share policy making power.

In conclusion, the wider use of direct democracy should be implemented to give the electorate more power between elections and limit that of the government, but not to the detriment of parliamentary democracy and sovereignty or majoritarian democracy.

Thanks, I'm trying to find them but I can't - do you have a link to them by any chance?

Ah ok, maybe its because that isnt in the AQA spec, never seen a question on that

'More precisely, according to ICM’s survey, 75% of 16 and 17 year olds voted, compared with 54% of 18-24 year olds and 72% of 25-34 year olds. The turnout in all three groups is markedly lower than the estimate for 35-54 year olds (85%) and those aged 55 and over (92%).'

http://blog.whatscotlandthinks.org/2014/12/many-16-17-year-olds-voted/

nice essay why does increasing pressure group membership lead to greater use of direect democracy?

Apparently 'define strong gov' may be a 5 marker

Does any one know how to answer this question. Explain three criticisms that have been made of referendums

Does any one know how to answer this question. Explain three criticisms that have been made of referendums

goodnight friends, hope the questions are nice tomorrow, going to get up super early for an early morning cram as always

Yooo don't work too hard, if I don't speak to you in the morning good luck!!


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Does any one know how to answer this question. Explain three criticisms that have been made of referendums

Cost: AV was 75M of taxpayer's money and could have been used elsewhere whilst our ELECTED rep's voted for it instead.

Social issues can lead to Tyranny of the Majority; a 51% yes result is unfair to the 49% if you see where i'm getting at?

Referendums are likely to be controlled and resourced by elites who have their own agendas; EU 2016 , 2011 AV 'Yes' spent 2.2 million whilst 'No' spent 3.4 million which is unfair

The over-use of referendums can cause a lethargy eventually in the public - apathy and eventual low turnout. Low turnouts can bring into focus the extent of legitimacy provided by the referendum