Suchergebnisse

Move to a new constitutional blend of parliamentary principles and national traditions. Electoral reforms recommended by the Tinkhundla Review Commission.

This paper discusses several problems of direct popular decisions. In the first part, we consider problems related to the functioning of direct democracy. As a political system it only makes sense if there exists a continuous process and not if only occasional single questions are brought to a referendum. Then, the relation between direct democracy and the rule of unanimity is discussed, a subject of special relevance to the European Union, before we consider the role of quorums. In the second part, some areas are considered in which conflicts might arise. Results of initiatives might be incompatible with individual human rights or might endanger fiscal sustainability, and referenda might impede economic reforms. All these problems, however, do not justify a general rejection of direct popular rights. Thus, we conclude by listing several points that should be observed to safeguard the well-functioning of direct democracy.

This paper discusses several problems of direct popular decisions. In the first part, we consid- er problems related to the functioning of direct democracy. As a political system it only makes sense if there exists a continuous process and not if only occasional single questions are brought to a referendum. Then, the relation between direct democracy and the rule of unanim- ity is discussed, a subject of special relevance to the European Union, before we consider the role of quorums. In the second part, some areas are considered in which conflicts might arise. Results of initiatives might be incompatible with individual human rights or might endanger fiscal sustainability, and referenda might impede economic reforms. All these problems, how- ever, do not justify a general re jection of direct popular rights . Thus, we conclude by listing several points that should be observed to safeguard the well-functioning of direct democracy.

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

THE AUTHOR REPORTS ON THE POLITICAL CHANGES UNDERWAY IN SWAZILAND, WHICH IS MOVING TOWARD A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT BLENDING PARLIAMENTARY PRINCIPLES AND NATIONAL TRADITIONS, SUCH AS THE "TINKHUNDLA" (TRIBAL OR COMMUNITY COMMITTEES).