Year 10 - Citizenship
Should moral decisions be decided by referendum?
How can politicians involve citizens in direct decision making?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Through a series of case studies from across the globe pupils explore different methods of direct democracy and consider how UK citizens can play a part in shaping national policy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to create a reasoned argument whether moral decisions should be decided by a referendum.
Key Notes
- Moral decisions often involve rights and values. In the UK, the Government is mainly responsible for making them.
- The UK Government may involve the people by using ethics committees or public consultations to shape moral decisions.
- Some countries use referendums to decide moral decisions, such as Switzerland's vote on animal testing.
- Referendums can reflect changing values over time, but they can be expensive and time-consuming.
Vocabulary To Learn
- right: something we are entitled to by law
- referendum: a general vote by the electorate on a single political issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision; it is a form of direct democracy
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The public has no say in moral decisions because the UK Government makes all the laws.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Moral decisions often involve rights and values. In the UK, the Government is mainly responsible for making them. The UK Government may involve the people by using ethics committees or public consultations to shape moral decisions.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'right'
something we are entitled to by law.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The public has no say in moral decisions because the UK Government makes all the laws. Correction: While the Government plays a key role, the public can be involved through consultations, ethics committees and campaigns. People can also challenge decisions through the courts if rights are affected.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Can citizens play a bigger role in select committees? Study Guide
- Should environmental issues be decided by referendum? Study Guide
- Should political problems be solved by a referendum? Study Guide
- Should the UK involve citizens more directly in democracy? Study Guide
- What is direct democracy? Study Guide
- What roles can citizens play in policy shaping? Study Guide
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