7. Referendums: referendum mania & reform

Question 1

direct democracy

Answer 1

refers to mechanisms like referendums, ballot initiatives, and direct elections that allow citizens to influence governance directly , bypassing traditional representative systems

Question 2

theories for rise for call for direct democracy

Answer 2

populism

rising technology

changing mass attitudes

Question 3

populism - call for direct democracy

Answer 3

populist movements periodically drove reforms, around 1900 in USA.

also in late 20th century, fuelled by distrust of political parties and calls for greater public control over decision-making

demands for more popular control over government spending

public control over decision making / spending

Question 4

rising technology - call for direct democracy

Answer 4

favour the spread of direct democracy by undermining some objections to such procedures

technology, particularly the internet, has improved access to information and enabled more frequent and informed public participation

electronic voting and other tools reduce logistical challenges, making direct democracy more feasible

Question 5

changing mass attitudes - call for direct democracy

Answer 5

reinforce expectations that contemporary polities will be reshaped to increase citizens’ direct political control

citizens in advanced democracies increasingly favour direct participation over mediated decision making

attitudinal shifts align with post-materialist and participatory cultural transformations identified since the 1970s

Question 6

there are two types of referendums

Answer 6

one where their potential for making or unmaking policies is ever present in the mind of legislators or lobbyists

one where referendums are used only infrequently, usually to seal the legitimacy of a controversial policy change or a change of regime

Question 7

bottom-up referenda

Answer 7

citizens can force the government to hold a referendum, even though the government does not really want that because it hinders them.

politicians do whatever they can to make it as less worrisome as possible, so as difficult as possible for citizens to hold a referendum.

basically protecting themselves out of self-interest

Question 8

top-down referendum

Answer 8

regulations in top-down process means that you are regulating yourself. That is what you do not want.

this is about giving yourself as much freedom as possible (again, self interest / rational choice)

Question 9

difference Europe / USA in regulating referendums

Answer 9

USA has the most regulation. In the USA is it more citizen-initiated / bottom-up / danger to politicians. Europe it is more top down, politicians are more in control.