Suchergebnisse

The merits of direct democracy through referendums were somewhat timidly promoted by the Canadian Alliance during the 2000 federal election campaign, but received little consideration at the time. This paper seeks to initiate more serious discussion of whether & how direct democracy could benefit Canada. Referendums are increasingly used in many liberal-democratic societies in Western Europe, primarily to vote on such issues as membership in the European Union & ratifications of EU treaties, changes to electoral systems, & legalization of abortion & divorce. In Switzerland, Italy, & the US, citizens can have issues placed on the ballot & can vote directly for the passage of some laws. However, support in Canada is weak; only 37% of Canadians surveyed by the IRRP could think of an issue they would want to be decided by referendum, though the percentage varied widely by province. Nonetheless, it is argued that this enhancement of democracy would do more than increase opportunities to vote; it would engage citizens in political deliberation with each other & with their elected representatives; & it would give the public a more meaningful say in decision-making. Figures. J. Stanton

"Direct Democracy and LGBT Politics" published on by Oxford University Press.

"Direct Democracy and Political Decision Making" published on by Oxford University Press.