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Year 11

What are referendums and why are they used?

I can explain what a referendum is and how they can be used in a democracy.

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New
New
Year 11

What are referendums and why are they used?

I can explain what a referendum is and how they can be used in a democracy.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Democracy is a system of government where power is rooted in the people. There are two types: direct and representative.
  2. Representative democracy is the most common, where people elect representatives to vote and make laws on their behalf.
  3. A referendum is an example of direct democracy; they are held on issues of national, regional and local importance.

Keywords

  • 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 misconception

Referendums are only about national issues.

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.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What are referendums and why are they used?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

To help pupils grasp the concepts of democracy, use current events or historical examples that highlight how decisions are made, making the lesson feel more relatable.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the primary focus of the European Economic Community (EEC)?
the security of Member States
the wellbeing of member states
Correct answer: the economy of member states
Q2.
Who are the representatives in the European Council?
elected Members of European Parliament
Correct answer: Heads of State or Government
citizens from Member States
Q3.
A is the act of being joined together for political purposes.
government
business
Correct answer: union
Q4.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:summit,a meeting between heads of government

a meeting between heads of government

Correct Answer:bloc,a group of countries with common interests who have formed an alliance

a group of countries with common interests who have formed an alliance

Correct Answer:cooperation,working together to achieve the same end

working together to achieve the same end

Q5.
Post-WWII, a number of key led to the formation of different unions in Europe.
Correct Answer: treaties
Q6.
Which is not a role of the European Council?
Correct answer: debating the EU's laws
setting the EU's strategic direction
handling the EU's major issues

6 Questions

Q1.
Democracy is a system of government where power is rooted in the .
Correct Answer: people
Q2.
What is the most common type of democracy?
authoritarian
direct
Correct answer: representative
Q3.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:referendum,a general vote on a single issue for a direct decision

a general vote on a single issue for a direct decision

Correct Answer:representative democracy,citizens choose others to represent them and make decisions for them

citizens choose others to represent them and make decisions for them

Correct Answer:direct democracy,people decide on the policy directly

people decide on the policy directly

Q4.
What is an example of direct democracy?
electing Members of Parliament
Correct answer: holding a referendum
passing laws in Parliament
Q5.
Why have there been so few national referendums in the history of the UK?
The government is not interested in citizens' views.
Referendums are too difficult to arrange.
Correct answer: Parliament is the sovereign decision maker.
Q6.
Referendums are not usually divided by political parties which means that the outcome has political appeal and support.
limited
Correct answer: broad
unlawful