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

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 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

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) 07.05.2007

Worldwide use of the referendum in the 20th century 07.05.2007 (LeDuc, Norris, Niemi 2002: 71)

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) 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

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) 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative Types of referendums Constitutional referendum/ Plebiscites Consultative referendum 07.05.2007

Frequency of National referendums in 39 democracies (LeDuc, Norris, Niemi 2002:73) 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative Types of initiative Citizen‘s initiative Abrogative initiative 07.05.2007

3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative http://www.iandrinstitute.org/IRI%20Initiative%20Use.pdf 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

3. Direct democratic instruments – referendum & initiative (LeDuc, Norris, Niemi 2002:75) 07.05.2007

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) 07.05.2007

- 1848- 2004, 517 referendums 1. Switzerland …Celebrated as the best example of direct democracy: - 1848- 2004, 517 referendums were held - 1892-2001, 244 initiatives were held. 07.05.2007

…mandatory referendum …optional referendum on international treaties 2. Switzerland Types of referendums …mandatory referendum …optional referendum on international treaties …optional legislative referendum …optional referendum 07.05.2007

2. The United States 07.05.2007

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 07.05.2007

3. The problems of direct democracy …money …political knowledge …political mobilisation …resources 07.05.2007

The democratic DEFICIT – framing the debate 4. The European Union The democratic DEFICIT – framing the debate 07.05.2007

Referenda in the UK - a complicated relationship 5. The United Kindom Referenda in the UK - a complicated relationship 07.05.2007

5. The United Kingdom …North East (England) - 2004 …Northern Ireland - 1998 …London (England) - 1998 …Wales - 1997 …Scotland – 1997 …Wales - 1979 …Scotland - 1979 …UK - 1975 …Northern Ireland - 1973 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%) http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/referendums/UKreferendums.cfm 07.05.2007