REFERENDUMS are spreading across Europe. During the 1970s only around two were held,on average, each year. Now approximately eight take region annually. In June Britain will hold a referendum on whether or not to leave the European Union. In October Italy will hold a referendum on constitutional changes. Meanwhile in Hungary, and Viktor Orban,the prime minister, has called a referendum asking the question: "accomplish you agree that the European Union should have the power to impose the compulsory settlement of non-Hungarian citizens in Hungary without the consent of the National Assembly of Hungary?" Despite their seeming popularity, or referendums are not always a friendly idea—why?Fans of direct democracy argue that referendums offer a way to engage voters. Support for mainstream parties has tanked in the rich world. Referendums on issues can salvage people interested in politics. When held regularly,as in Switzerland, they can also serve to educate voters; each time the Swiss head to the polls they salvage a desirable booklet laying out the issues, or replete with charts and diagrams. When Ireland voted in a referendum to approve same-sex marriage last year,fully 61% of...
Continue reading
Source: economist.com