Bringing in the People: A Comparison of Constitutional Forms and Practices of the ReferendumThe referendum is not a monolithic method of national decision making. There are a multitude of referendum forms which exist under varying constitutional conditions and operate in different ways. A global comparison shows that more than half the constitutions of the world provide for the referendum at a national level, but referendums are also carried out without explicit constitutional support. Two main forms of referendum can be observed, the mandatory constitutional referendum and the policy vote. This book argues that the referendum does not undermine representative decision making, but supplements it in various ways: the referendum is not diametrically opposed to representative government, and when properly designed and used, the institution of the referendum can enhance the legitimacy of a constitutional and political system. This book is the first comprehensive constitutional and comparative analysis of the referendum. It offers illuminating and intriguing reading for all those interested in national decision making. |
Contents
Preface | 1 |
THE REFERENDUM IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL | 15 |
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS | 37 |
populism Guaranty Clause and judicial review | 75 |
THE REFERENDUM AS A GLOBAL | 126 |
THE REFERENDUM IN FOUR COUNTRIES | 181 |
Ireland | 209 |
THE REFERENDUM IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL | 235 |
REFLECTIONS ON THE THEME | 271 |
| 281 | |
Danish and Irish referendums | 303 |
| 309 | |
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Bringing in the People:A Comparison of Constitutional Forms and Practices of ... Markku Suksi No preview available - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
according approved Article Assembly bill cantons cent characterized concept concerning Constitution of Ireland constitutional amendments constitutional referendum consultative referendum convention countries Court created Dáil Éireann Danish decisive referendum Declaration democratic Denmark direct democracy Eduskunta elections electorate elements enacted existence facultative Federal Constitution Finland Folketing form of government formal function G.A.Res Germany Gilhuis initiative internal sovereignty Ireland issue legislative referendum legislative sovereignty legislature Liechtenstein majority mandatory matter mode of national national decision-making national sovereignty Oberholtzer 1912 Oireachtas ordinary legislation organized Parliament parliamentary participation party passim plebiscite policy vote political sovereignty political system popular sovereignty popular vote position possible pouvoir constituant powers pre-regulated principle procedure proposal referen referendum in Sweden referendum institution referendum type representative Republic republican requirement Riksdag Rommelfanger 1988 ruled ruler(s self-determination Sess social submitted Suksi Switzerland Tatarstan territory Treaty types of referendum U.N.Doc U.N.GAOR United Nations voters Weimar Republic Zahle
Popular passages
Page 286 - The Federalist. A commentary on the constitution of the United States. A collection of essays, by Alexander Hamilton, Jay and Madison.