3 ms·

> Direct democracy is something that has to be done regularly [...] I think there's a lot of truth to this. When referendums are seldom, I believe there's a re

by mstade 10y ago

> Direct democracy is something that has to be done regularly [...] I think there's a lot of truth to this. When referendums are seldom, I believe there's a real risk of them turning into spectacle. (And at worst, a weapon for use by nationalists and fascists, like what happened in Germany in the 30s.) When they are regular, and limited, and like in Switzerland not something pulled on a whim but actually requires some work to call, they might just work. But that also kind of assumes an informed electorate, which is perhaps the main point here – the electorate hasn't been very well informed, either way.

Inthenameofmine 10y ago
> When they are rare, and limited, and like in Switzerland not something pulled on a whim but actually requires some work to call, they might just work. In Switzerland you essentially vote on 2-5 issues every quarter. I think this very regularity has educated the people. It also helps that by law, if you vote on a proposal that would increase spending, you aso vote on how much your taxes increase. In the case of the Gotard Tunnel it was 1.6% increase in income tax for several decades (if I'm not mistaken). Swiss even vote on buying fighter jets, etc. You would be surprised how well it works. All that said, the swiss constitution actually states that it is the job of the government to make sure the people have a good standard of living. So many social policies which would be difficult to get through constitutionally in lets say the US are rather simple in the Switzerland. My only big nitpick in the swiss system is the lack of minority protection an little to no checks and balances by the supreme court on referenda.
- mstade 10y ago
  Sorry, that should say "when they are regular" – not rare. Have edited my post. Do you find the regularity of referendums naturally makes people more inclined to be educated on the issues at hand? Anecdata obviously, but nevertheless interesting.
  - Inthenameofmine 10y ago
    Most definitely, yes. That, and the fact that there is no real parliamentary opposition vying for as many populist points. (see my other comments in this thread).

by mstade 10y ago

Inthenameofmine 10y ago

> When they are rare, and limited, and like in Switzerland not something pulled on a whim but actually requires some work to call, they might just work. In Switzerland you essentially vote on 2-5 issues every quarter. I think this very regularity has educated the people. It also helps that by law, if you vote on a proposal that would increase spending, you aso vote on how much your taxes increase. In the case of the Gotard Tunnel it was 1.6% increase in income tax for several decades (if I'm not mistaken). Swiss even vote on buying fighter jets, etc. You would be surprised how well it works. All that said, the swiss constitution actually states that it is the job of the government to make sure the people have a good standard of living. So many social policies which would be difficult to get through constitutionally in lets say the US are rather simple in the Switzerland. My only big nitpick in the swiss system is the lack of minority protection an little to no checks and balances by the supreme court on referenda.

mstade 10y ago
Sorry, that should say "when they are regular" – not rare. Have edited my post. Do you find the regularity of referendums naturally makes people more inclined to be educated on the issues at hand? Anecdata obviously, but nevertheless interesting.
- Inthenameofmine 10y ago
  Most definitely, yes. That, and the fact that there is no real parliamentary opposition vying for as many populist points. (see my other comments in this thread).