Chapter 3 Questions for reflection and discussion

  1. Do you agree with the view that there is a lack of engagement between ordinary people and the work of government? How might this engagement be improved? Could social media play a more constructive role in promoting the relationship between the citizen and the state?
  2. How far do you think the Members of Parliament’s expense claims scandal a decade or so ago has affected the authority of Parliament?
  3. What are the arguments for and against making voting compulsory?
  4. Would proportional representation result in fairer electoral outcomes? Would it lead to less efficient government? Can you think of countries where proportional representation seems to work well? Those where is does not work? How you react to the view that there may be a decline in support for the idea of representative democracy?
  5. What are the arguments for and against the use of referenda for deciding major political issues?
  6. Should the (legislative) House of Lords be reformed? Should it become a fully elected body?
  7. Should more or less time be spent debating legislative proposals in Parliament?
  8. How significant a restraint on law-making powers is the European Convention on Human Rights?
  9. Should there be a British Bill of Rights?
  10. Should judges make law?
  11. Does the independence of the judiciary impose unacceptable limits on the power of the executive?
  12. How can citizens become better informed about the law and legal system?
  13. What impact do you expect that Brexit will have on the English Legal System?
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