Referendums Quiz

What is one advantage of referendums?

• They always result in higher voter turnout than general elections.

• They provide a direct link between policy-making and the national will.

• They eliminate the need for political parties.

• They ensure that all voters are well-informed.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of referendums?

• They always result in low voter turnout.

• They can absorb divisions within parties.

• They can be a blunt instrument that does not allow for nuanced decision-making.

• They provide a much-needed check on governments.

What is a potential benefit of referendums in the UK?

• They allow the executive branch to make decisions without elections.

• They provide a much-needed check on governments.

• They eliminate the need for parliamentary systems.

• They ensure that all political debates are resolved.

What is one reason critics argue against referendums?

• They always result in higher voter turnout.

• They undermine representative democracy.

• They provide a direct link between policy-making and the national will.

• They absorb divisions within parties.

What evidence is there that referendums can boost political participation?

• They always result in lower voter turnout.

• They engage voters in political debate and decision-making over specific issues.

• They eliminate the need for political parties.

• They ensure that all voters are well-informed.

Why are referendums sometimes called 'blunt instruments'?

• They always result in higher voter turnout.

• They do not allow voters to make fine decisions beyond a binary choice.

• They provide a direct link between policy-making and the national will.

• They absorb divisions within parties.

In what way do referendums represent a 'purer' form of democracy?

• They always result in higher voter turnout.

• They hand power over important issues directly to voters.

• They eliminate the need for political parties.

• They ensure that all voters are well-informed.

What is one issue with the political debate initiated by referendums?

• It is always resolved quickly.

• It can be bitter and divisive.

• They eliminate the need for political parties.

• They ensure that all voters are well-informed.

What is a potential problem with the complexity of issues in referendums?

• They are always simple and easy to understand.

• Many issues are complicated and may not be easily understood by a majority of voters.

• They eliminate the need for political parties.

• They ensure that all voters are well-informed.

What was the voter turnout for the Scottish independence vote mentioned in the text?

• 81%

• 84.6%

• 34%

• 42%