Referendum: Understanding Democratic Decision Making in Modern Governance

Chapter 1: Referendum

A direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue is referred to as a referendum (plural: referendums or referenda, which is less usually used these days). This is in contrast to a representative exercising their right to vote on a particular topic. In the event that this occurs, the referendum may just serve as an advisory one, or it may result in the passage of a new policy or specific law. It is also known as plebiscite, votation, popular consultation, ballot question, ballot measure, or proposition in various countries. In other nations, it is synonymous with all of these aforementioned terms.

'Plebiscite' is a sort of vote that can be used to change the constitution or government of a country, according to some definitions of the term. 'Referendum' is frequently used as a catchall term, and it is used for both legislative referrals and initiatives.

The gerundive form of the Latin verb referre, which literally means to carry back (derived from the verb ferre, which means to bear, bring, carry plus the inseparable prefix re-, which in this context simply means back), is referred to as referendum.

In terms of logic, the plural form referendums, which means ballots on one issue (as a Latin gerund), is the most appropriate choice, It is closely connected to agenda, which means those matters which must be driven forward, derived from ago, which means to impel or drive forwards; and memorandum, which means that matter which must be remembered, derived from memoro, which means to call to mind; corrigenda, which comes from rego, which means to rule, make straight, those things which may need to be made straight (corrected), etc.

The phrase plebiscite originates from the Latin word plebiscita, which originally meant a decree issued by the Concilium Plebis (Plebeian Council), which was the popular assembly of the Roman Republic. In modern usage, the term plebiscite has a connotation that is largely close to the original meaning. In modern times, a referendum is also sometimes referred to as a plebiscite; however, in certain nations, the two terms are used in a different manner to refer to votes that have various kinds of legal repercussions associated with them.

The term plebiscite was used in Ireland to refer to the vote to establish the country's constitution; however, a subsequent vote to modify the constitution is referred to as a referendum, and a poll of the public on a bill that is not constitutional is also referred to as a referendum..

The name and use of the 'referendum' is thought to have originated in the Swiss canton of Graubünden as early as the 16th century.

The phrase referendum can be used to refer to a number of different things, and the terminology used to describe them varies depending on the country that is holding them. It is possible for a referendum to be either advisory or binding.

Comparison between obligatory (as required by law) and optional (ad hoc)

Binding vs consultative

Beginning with the citizens (bottom-up) and working their way up to the authorities (top-down)

The difference between being proactive (by suggesting a change) and reactive (by avoiding a change)

One category of referendums is known as a mandatory referendum, which is a type of referendum that must be voted on if certain conditions are satisfied or if specific acts are made by the government. It is not necessary for any members of the general public to sign them. In regions that make use of referendums, it is usual practice to employ an obligatory referendum as a legally required step for approval of constitutional amendments, ratification of international treaties and membership in international organizations, and certain types of public spending.

Common examples of obligatory referendums include the following::

Alterations to the Constitution: Certain nations or local governments have made the decision to implement any constitutional revisions through the use of an obligatory referendum option. Some of these countries are Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, and 49 of the fifty states in the United States (with Delaware being the lone exception).

The issuance of certain bonds, the raising of taxes above a particular number, or the taking on of certain quantities of debt all require a referendum in many regions. This is because the government must first receive approval from the people. For instance, the state government of California is prohibited from borrowing more than $300,000 without first obtaining a vote from the general public through a statewide bond initiative.

There are mandatory referendums in Switzerland on the enactment of international treaties that pertain to collective security and joining a supranational community. These referendums are part of Switzerland's international relations. This particular kind of referendum has only ever taken place once in the history of the country, and that was in 1986, when Switzerland attempted to join the United Nations but was unsuccessful.

A hypothetical sort of referendum that was initially proposed by Immanuel Kant is a referendum to ratify a declaration of war. This type of referendum is known as a war referendum. Despite the fact that it was debatable in the United States during the 1930s under the name Ludlow Amendment, it has never been passed by any nation.

In the category of referendums that are presented to the vote as a result of a demand, there is a category known as an optional referendum. This could originate from either the legislative or executive branches, or it could be a request from the general public (often after the necessity of a signature has been satisfied).

Other types of referendums that are optional include::

Plebiscites of the authorities, which are often referred to as legislative referrals, are proposals that are proposed by the government or the legislature. The questions could be advisory in nature, with the purpose of gauging public opinion, or they could be legally binding.

The term initiative referendum refers to a process to propose and vote on new laws that is led by citizens.