Brexit: be careful what you wish for
Re Euphoria gives way to angst as reality sets in, June 28 Our friends in Britain have provided a textbook case of why a referendum is a blunt instrument that weakens representative democracy and can never be a friend to its effective management.
For instance, what level of vote participation constitutes true consent or a majority? Yes, 72 per cent of U.K. voters cast their ballots, but the “Leave” win of 51.9 per cent represents a mere 37 per cent of eligible voters. Such tyranny of the minority is at the root of what is wrong with many first-past-the-post systems.
An analysis of referenda use as a form of direct democracy quickly shows that evidence, reasoned thought or long-term planning are rarely the stronger players in the lead up to a vote. What most often results is more of a populace “myopia of the moment,” driven by a potent, overwhelming mix of fear or anger, inaccurate or deceptive information, ambiguous wording of the question, complexity of the issue, economic intimidation and media overkill. In that moment, many voters too often lack the information necessary to make an informed decision.
Our democracy is based on elected MPs who are there to vote on our behalf. A referendum is a crude measure of popularity, but is a poor sister to freedom and thoughtful democratic change. Edward Carson, Toronto Re A dumb referendum, Opinion July 3 And just how does Robin V. Sears propose that polities such as Quebec secede from the Canadian federation, or decide not to, if it is not by means of a referendum?
Does he think a civil war would do the trick? Or, would he have had the Parti Québécois use its majority in the Quebec National Assembly to pass a bill of secession in whatever manner it deemed democratic?
If Mr. Sears cannot trust his fellow citizens to vote responsibly in a referendum, then he should never trust the results of a general election either.
There is a place for referenda in our decision-making apparatus, just as there is a place for delegated authority and both should be used wisely in their appropriate places. Patrick Cowan, Toronto