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Pdf The Potential Of Direct Democracy A Global Measure 1900 2014 Jstor

Leo Migdal
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pdf the potential of direct democracy a global measure 1900 2014 jstor

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To what extent is direct democracy achieved in current polities? To answer this question, I develop an index, Direct Democracy Practice Potential (DDPP), which is applied to 200 polities worldwide. This index results from the aggregation of the scores of four types of mechanisms of direct democracy: popular initiatives, popular referendums, obligatory referendums, and authorities’ plebiscites. This index measures: (1) how easy it is to initiate and approve each type of popular vote and (2) how consequential that vote is (if approved). Ease of initiation is measured by: (a) the existence of a direct democracy process, (b) the number of signatures needed, and (c) time limits to collect signatures. Ease of approval is measured by quorums pertaining to: (a) participation, (b) approval, (c) supermajority, and (d) district majority.

Consequences are measured by: (a) the legal status of the decision made by citizens (binding or consultative), and (b) the frequency with which direct popular votes have been used and approved in the past. This paper discusses several problems of direct popular decisions that are often overlooked in political and scientific debates. In the first part, we consider problems related to the functioning of direct democracy. As a political system, it only makes sense if there exists a continuous process and not if only occasional single questions are brought to a referendum. Then, the relation between direct democracy and the rule of unanimity is discussed, a subject of special relevance to the European Union, before we consider the role of quorums. In the second part, some areas are considered in which conflicts might arise.

Results of initiatives might be incompatible with individual human rights or might endanger fiscal sustainability, and referenda might impede economic reforms. All these problems, however, do not justify a general rejection of direct popular rights. Thus, we conclude by listing several points that should be observed to safeguard the well-functioning of direct democracy. Initiative and referendum use has widespread public support in many established democracies. We use data from four nations to test hypotheses about approval of direct democracy. We find that people see similar flaws in representative and direct democracy, and that their support for direct democracy is a function of how they assess the relative power of special interests in each...

Many people believe representatives (but not voters) are influenced by interests, and these people are more likely to approve of direct democracy. Attitudes about direct democracy are also structured by opinions about voter abilities, and by preferences for a delegate model of representation. Our findings contradict the Hibbing and Theiss-Morse "stealth democracy" thesis. We contend that citizens recognize the importance of elected officials, and that they want ordinary people to vote on matters of policy. We suggest people see the voting public, participating via direct democracy, as a check on the power narrow interests have in legislative settings.

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To What Extent Is Direct Democracy Achieved In Current Polities?

To what extent is direct democracy achieved in current polities? To answer this question, I develop an index, Direct Democracy Practice Potential (DDPP), which is applied to 200 polities worldwide. This index results from the aggregation of the scores of four types of mechanisms of direct democracy: popular initiatives, popular referendums, obligatory referendums, and authorities’ plebiscites. Thi...

Consequences Are Measured By: (a) The Legal Status Of The

Consequences are measured by: (a) the legal status of the decision made by citizens (binding or consultative), and (b) the frequency with which direct popular votes have been used and approved in the past. This paper discusses several problems of direct popular decisions that are often overlooked in political and scientific debates. In the first part, we consider problems related to the functionin...

Results Of Initiatives Might Be Incompatible With Individual Human Rights

Results of initiatives might be incompatible with individual human rights or might endanger fiscal sustainability, and referenda might impede economic reforms. All these problems, however, do not justify a general rejection of direct popular rights. Thus, we conclude by listing several points that should be observed to safeguard the well-functioning of direct democracy. Initiative and referendum u...

Many People Believe Representatives (but Not Voters) Are Influenced By

Many people believe representatives (but not voters) are influenced by interests, and these people are more likely to approve of direct democracy. Attitudes about direct democracy are also structured by opinions about voter abilities, and by preferences for a delegate model of representation. Our findings contradict the Hibbing and Theiss-Morse "stealth democracy" thesis. We contend that citizens ...