1. Prep to be handed in on Thursday 10th
October 2013
Notin’ the kno-how! on introduction to direct democracy
Background reading:
McNaughton Edexcel Government and politics for AS (4th
ed) p.29 - 38
Cordey Edexcel Government & Politics (new edition) p.7 – 8 and
Answer the following questions in full sentences in order to create a set of notes
Define ‘direct democracy’. (Mc p.31)
Define ‘referendum’. (Mc p.32)
To what extent is the result of a referendum binding on a government (compare Switzerland
with the UK) (Mc p 32)
Why have referendums been held? (C p.10)
Why has the use of referendums increased since 1997? (C p.11)
Which referendum is due to be held in 2913 and what other referendums may be held in
then future? (C p.12 or McN p.37-38)
Using the tables in McNaughton p. 38 and Cordey p. 12, summarise the arguments FOR and
AGAINST the future use of referendums.
What are initiatives’ and public consultations? (C p.8)
What are petitions? (C p.8)
Briefly explain the UK system of e-petitions. (McN p. 29)
Define e-democracy (McN p.30)
How are UK e-petitions different from Swiss petitions. (FROG)
Copy out the table showing the advantages and disadvantages of direct democracy. (C p.8)