1. DIRECT DEMOCRACY University of Exeter HUSS Department of Politics
Academic Year 2006/ 2007
Electoral Politics
Lecturer: Dr. Jeffrey Karp
Presenters: Caroline Hocking and Kathrin Thomas
DIRECT DEMOCRACY

2. Agenda Direct democracy – a theoretical overview
1. What is direct democracy – The attempt
of a definition
2. Advantages & disadvantages of direct democracy
3. Direct democratic instruments –
initiative & referendum

3. II. Direct democracy in action 1. Switzerland 2. The United States
Agenda
II. Direct democracy in action
1. Switzerland
2. The United States
3. The problem of direct democracy
4. The European Union
5. The United Kingdom

4. I. Direct democracy – a theoretical overview
„Although representative democracy has not been supplanted by direct democracy, the texture of representative democracy is changing as citizens assume a more direct role in affecting parties and government.“
(Donovan/ Karp 2006:671)

5. Worldwide use of the referendum in the 20th century
(LeDuc, Norris, Niemi 2002: 71)

6. 1. What is direct democracy? – The attempt of a definition
Direct democracy enables „individuals to make a direct impact on the decision- making process at a regional, national or even international level“, but another „characteristic[…] of direct democracy is that it gives power to the majority, without elaborate restraints on that power“
(Carter 1973: 147)

7. 1. What is direct democracy? – The attempt of a definition
2 main features of direct democracy
…citizens right to make decision unmediated by political organisations
…majority rule without restraints

8. 2. Advantages & disadvantages of direct democracy
…Direct vote = direct impact on policies
…Direct decision = direct implementation
…Direct democracy = no mediating agency
…Direct decision- making = political education

9. 2. Advantages & disadvantages of direct democracy
…Direct vote = majoritarian rule
…Direct decision = vulnerable to populist politics
…Direct democracy = high cost
…Direct decision- making = time- consuming
…Direct democracy = manipulation of electorate

10. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
The „new interest in the old institutions of direct democracy appears to reflect the mood of the times.“
(LeDuc 2002:71)

11. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
…electorate is asked for their approval or rejection about an issue that usually is initiated by governments, in case of transfer of souvereignty by the international organisation

12. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
Types of referendums
Constitutional referendum/ Plebiscites
Consultative referendum

13. Frequency of National referendums in 39 democracies
(LeDuc, Norris, Niemi 2002:73)

14. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
Crucial features about the usage of referendums
…governments leave important/ crucial decisions to citizens
…only governments decide when to direct a referendum
…referendum campaigns often short & uninformative
…majority rule, minorities excluded

15. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
…electorate is asked for approval or rejection about an issue that is initiated by citizens or a citizen group

16. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
Types of initiative
Citizen‘s initiative
Abrogative initiative

17. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative

18. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
Crucial features about the usage of the initiave
…easily accessable to populist movements
…it is all about money
…excludes minorities
…ballots are easily manipulable, so is the electorate
…citizen‘s bypass to legislator

19. 3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative
(LeDuc, Norris, Niemi 2002:75)

20. II. Direct democracy in action
„I tell you the people of this state and this country are determined at last to take control of their own politics.”
(Woodrow Wilson, May 1911)

21. - 1848- 2004, 517 referendums 1. Switzerland
…Celebrated as the best example of direct democracy:
, 517 referendums
were held
, 244 initiatives were
held.

22. …mandatory referendum …optional referendum on international treaties
2. Switzerland
Types of referendums
…mandatory referendum
…optional referendum on international treaties
…optional legislative referendum
…optional referendum

23. 2. The United States

24. Most of the states have some form of direct democracy provision:
2. The United States
Most of the states have some form of direct democracy provision:
2005: 204 ballot propositions

25. 3. The problems of direct democracy
…money
…political knowledge
…political mobilisation
…resources

26. The democratic DEFICIT – framing the debate
4. The European Union
The democratic DEFICIT – framing the debate

27. Referenda in the UK - a complicated relationship
5. The United Kindom
Referenda in the UK - a complicated relationship

28. 5. The United Kingdom …North East (England) - 2004
…Northern Ireland
…London (England)
…Wales
…Scotland – 1997
…Wales
…Scotland
…UK
…Northern Ireland
1973: Northern Ireland (Yes: 98.9%, No: 1.1, Turnout: 58.1%)
1975: EC Common market (Yes: 67.2%, No: 32.8%, Turnout: 64.5%
1979: Scotland Act (Yes: 51.6%, No: 48.4%, Turnout: 63.8%
1979: Welsh Act (Yes: 20.3%, No: 79.7%, Turnout: 58.8%)
1997: Scotish devolution (Scotish Parliament Yes: 74.3%, Scotish Parliament No: 25.7%, Turnout: 60.4%)
1997: Welsh devolution (Yes: 50.3%, No: 49.7%, Turnout: 50.1%)
1998: Greater London authority (Yes: 72.0%, No: 28.0%, Turnout: 34.1%)