Year 11 - Citizenship
What are referendums and why are they used?
How well has the UK adjusted to its changing relationship with the EU?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils analyse the reasons behind the Brexit referendum and consider what the implications of it have been.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what a referendum is and how they can be used in a democracy.
Key Notes
- Democracy is a system of government where power is rooted in the people. There are two types: direct and representative.
- Representative democracy is the most common, where people elect representatives to vote and make laws on their behalf.
- A referendum is an example of direct democracy; they are held on issues of national, regional and local importance.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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
- representative democracy: type of democracy where citizens choose others to represent them, making important decisions on their behalf
- direct democracy: where the people decide on the policy directly, for example, through a vote or referendum on each issue
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Referendums are only about national issues.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Democracy is a system of government where power is rooted in the people. There are two types: direct and representative. Representative democracy is the most common, where people elect representatives to vote and make laws on their behalf.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? '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.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Referendums are only about national issues. Correction: Referendums are held for a wide range of reasons. They might be national, (like the UK's relationship with Europe), or they might be regional, (like Scottish independence). Sometimes, a referendum can be local too.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Has leaving the EU been more beneficial or challenging to the UK? Study Guide
- What is the difference between the EU and the European Council? Study Guide
- What was the process for leaving the EU? Study Guide
- What were the key arguments of campaigners for leave? Study Guide
- What were the key arguments of campaigners for remain? Study Guide
- What were the results of the Brexit referendum? Study Guide
- Why was the EU formed? Study Guide
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