To What Extent Would the Increased Use of Referendums Enhance British Democracy?

A direct democracy is, in theory, the only legitimate and pure form of democracy. It is the model of democracy which gives people the most power, which is the very aim of a democracy. It is arguable that an increased number of referendums would actually give the people the power they have been promised, instead of trying to cheat society into thinking that they have a significant amount of control over their lives. People want to live in a society with a pure, simple and successful democracy. A society in which the people are allowed direct involvement in decision making is absolutely necessary to enhance our democracy. On the other hand, an increase in referendums and direct democracy could have a massively negative impact on our society. It can be divisive and cause deep splits in our communities due to differing opinions and sometimes even discrimination. It is inevitable, and also necessary, that there will be differences in opinion between people, otherwise there would not be any point to even holding referendums. However, people who cannot accept or at least respect the opinions of others would find it very difficult to live their lives knowing that their neighbours’ opinions contradict theirs. These differences can lead to much greater tension in communities, and effectively alter the citizens’ everyday lives.