This paper will research the reasons for the result of the referendum, with a focus on the influence of mass media, and whether the benefits of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union outweigh the disadvantages of leaving, against the background of the consequences that might follow with the decision of the UK.
After the Second World War ended in 1945, many cities, towns and villages across Europe were completely destroyed by aerial bombing and heavy artillery, which led all in all to a huge suffering of the citizens all over Europe. A common expression after 1945 was “Never again”, symbolising the desire to prevent another world war and such a devastation all over the globe, but also especially in Europe. To make this idea come true, the six European countries Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands founded the ‘European Coal and Steel Community’ in 1950, which was the beginning of a growing supranational confederation later becoming the guarantee of peace between the European countries on their own continent, today known as ‘European Union’. Back in 1973, when the ‘European Communities’ still was in its initial stage, the United Kingdom, containing of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, officially joined the ‘EC’, raising the number of member states to nine.
The European Union has since then changed a lot, allowing not only goods to be transported inside the EU without customs costs, but also allowing the citizens of the member states to move around without any border restrictions. Despite these and further advantages, many inhabitants of the UK felt uncomfortable with the EU charing billions of pounds a year for imposing too many rules and restrictions on the UK’s business, which is not worth the benefits in their opinion. In addition, many citizens shared the opinion that the UK should take back full control of its borders and reduce the number of immigrants on their island. Consequently, David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the UK, introduced the EU Referendum Act in 2015, which included a plebiscite to decide whether the UK will stay in the European Union or not. The vote itself took place on the 23rd June 2016 in the United Kingdom, having had the result of about 52% of the voters having voted to leave the European Union, forming the absolute majority.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction and Main Question
- 2. Reasons for the Result
- 2.1 The 'Vote Leave' Campaign
- 3. Advantages and Disadvantages
- 3.1 Advantages of leaving the EU
- 3.2 Disadvantages of leaving the EU
- 4. Questionnaire on the British EU Referendum
- 4.1 Result of the Questionnaire in the UK
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to investigate the reasons behind the UK's 2016 referendum result to leave the European Union, focusing on the role of mass media and comparing the perceived advantages and disadvantages of Brexit. The analysis considers the potential consequences of the UK's decision.
- Influence of mass media and political campaigns on voter decisions
- The arguments for and against leaving the EU
- Analysis of the "Vote Leave" campaign's strategies and tactics
- The impact of misinformation and misleading claims during the campaign
- Consequences of the Brexit vote
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction and Main Question: This chapter sets the stage by briefly tracing the history of the European Union, highlighting the UK's membership since 1973. It explains the context leading to the 2016 referendum, noting growing discomfort among UK citizens regarding EU regulations and immigration. The chapter establishes the central question driving the research: exploring the reasons for the Brexit vote and weighing the potential benefits against the drawbacks. The introduction positions the referendum within a broader historical and political context, setting the groundwork for a deeper examination of the subsequent events and their ramifications.
2. Reasons for the Result: This chapter discusses the 2016 UK EU membership referendum, emphasizing the record-high voter turnout. It notes the surprise among many EU politicians at the "Leave" victory, prompting an investigation into how the campaign swayed public opinion. The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper examination of the factors contributing to the referendum's outcome, focusing on the following chapters that will delve into specific aspects.
2.1 The 'Vote Leave' Campaign: This section analyzes the "Vote Leave" campaign, focusing on the key figures Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, and their campaign strategies. It examines criticisms of the campaign's use of misleading information and assertions, particularly the claim about the UK's EU membership fee. The chapter highlights the campaign's manipulation of public perception and the role of misinformation in shaping the referendum outcome, revealing a deliberate strategy to sway public opinion through potentially deceptive tactics. The analysis contrasts this with the "Remain" campaign's approach and emphasizes the impact of the campaign's messages on the eventual outcome.
Keywords
Brexit, EU referendum, UK, Vote Leave, mass media, political campaigns, misinformation, immigration, sovereignty, economic impact, public opinion, political strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the 2016 UK EU Referendum
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper analyzing the 2016 UK EU referendum (Brexit). It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The focus is on understanding the reasons behind the "Leave" vote, particularly the role of mass media and the comparison of perceived advantages and disadvantages.
What are the main topics covered in the paper?
The paper investigates the influence of mass media and political campaigns on voter decisions, examines the arguments for and against leaving the EU, analyzes the "Vote Leave" campaign's strategies and tactics, assesses the impact of misinformation, and explores the consequences of the Brexit vote. It also includes a questionnaire on the referendum and its results in the UK.
What are the key themes explored in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction and Main Question): Sets the historical context of the UK's EU membership, leading up to the 2016 referendum, and establishes the central research question: understanding the reasons for the Brexit vote. Chapter 2 (Reasons for the Result): Discusses the referendum's outcome, the high voter turnout, and the surprise of the "Leave" victory, setting the stage for a deeper analysis. Chapter 2.1 (The 'Vote Leave' Campaign): Analyzes the "Vote Leave" campaign's strategies, focusing on key figures like Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, and critically examines the use of potentially misleading information. Chapter 3 (Advantages and Disadvantages): Presents a comparative analysis of the arguments for and against leaving the EU. Chapter 4 (Questionnaire on the British EU Referendum): Presents the results of a questionnaire conducted on the referendum within the UK. Chapter 5 (Conclusion): Summarizes the findings and conclusions of the research.
What is the significance of the "Vote Leave" campaign's analysis?
The analysis of the "Vote Leave" campaign focuses on its strategies and tactics, including criticisms regarding the use of misleading information and assertions (e.g., claims about EU membership fees). It highlights the potential manipulation of public perception and the role of misinformation in shaping the referendum outcome.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Brexit, EU referendum, UK, Vote Leave, mass media, political campaigns, misinformation, immigration, sovereignty, economic impact, public opinion, political strategy.
What type of research methodology is likely used?
While not explicitly stated, the preview suggests a qualitative research approach involving analysis of campaign materials, media coverage, and potentially, the results of a questionnaire. The focus is on exploring the reasons behind the Brexit vote and analyzing the factors influencing public opinion.
- Citar trabajo
- David Kirchbach (Autor), 2016, United Kingdom EU Referendum Act of 2015. Reasons and whether the benefits of the UK leaving the EU outweigh the disadvantages, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1127641
