POL 101W Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Civil Disobedience, Organizational Culture, Global Governance
13 May 2016
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Document Summary
Referendums provide citizens with the opportunity to vote directly on a piece of legislation. Benefits of incorporating referendums in a system that is based on representative democracy. Decisions are arrived at publicly through free and open debate. They serve to educate people people are more likely to do what they need to do to be informed of an issue if they are to vote on the issue. Provide legitimacy to whatever policies are enacted as a result of the referendum. Cons of incorporating referendums in a system that is based on representative democracy. Can be manipulated by political elites: through wording of the question posed. Allows political leaders to avoid responsibility on serious issues. They are very limited in the degree of direct control they give citizens: do not function as a mechanism through which people have control over public policy.
