Suchergebnisse

Argues that direct (referendum) democracy is not a viable way to democratize the polity, enhance citizenship, or empower people in a complex democratic institutional system, because it promotes political stratification & individualistic behavior. The argument is bolstered with examples from Switzerland, Italy, & the US, where referendum measures are commonly used as a source of pressure from below, but where their record is ambiguous at best. It is shown that direct democracy not only fails to enhance the deliberation process but often serves as an obstacle to cooperation & compromise. In addition, the marketization of the public space in contemporary democracies has made the control of monetary resources an overriding factor in decision making & has generated claims that referendum campaigns can be "bought" by those with large financial reserves. Other issues addressed include the importance of organizational & rhetorical resources; political stratification caused by social inequality; conflicts between self-interest & the common good; problems of legitimacy; & alternative forms of participation that could produce a more deliberative & reflective democracy. 77 References. J. Lindroth

Argues that direct (referendum) democracy is not a viable way to democratize the polity, enhance citizenship, or empower people in a complex democratic institutional system, because it promotes political stratification & individualistic behavior. The argument is bolstered with examples from Switzerland, Italy, & the US, where referendum measures are commonly used as a source of pressure from below, but where their record is ambiguous at best. It is shown that direct democracy not only fails to enhance the deliberation process but often serves as an obstacle to cooperation & compromise. In addition, the marketization of the public space in contemporary democracies has made the control of monetary resources an overriding factor in decision making & has generated claims that referendum campaigns can be "bought" by those with large financial reserves. Other issues addressed include the importance of organizational & rhetorical resources; political stratification caused by social inequality; conflicts between self-interest & the common good; problems of legitimacy; & alternative forms of participation that could produce a more deliberative & reflective democracy. 77 References. J. Lindroth