Definition of direct democracy by the people
Comments invited:
------------------------
Defining "direct" democracy (1).
Direct democracy, more precisely citizens direct democracy, includes
those forms of governance in which the electorate decides on issues,
matters of public concern, as well as choosing among candidates for
council or parliament (indirect or "representative" democracy).
Political power is exercised by The People although parliament and
government continue to operate as well. The term citizens direct
democracy defines forms of democratic decision-making which can be
initiated by an agreed number of citizens and which can lead to a
decision by ballot (sometimes referred to as binding referendum or
plebiscite). Examples of such
procedures are:
-- the citizens law-proposal (initiative) leading to ballot,
-- the veto referendum,
-- the constitutional referendum and
-- the recall-initiative.
EXCLUDED are procedures such as:
-- petition to ruling authority,
-- consultation,
-- citizens jury,
-- citizens budget,
-- referendum imposed or decreed by a ruling authority or parliament,
-- referendum which is only consultative,
-- referendum which is not legally binding on parliament and government.
1. The term "direct democracy" has been applied (sometimes wrongly) to a
range of conditions, systems and procedures in governance and public
constitution. We try to achieve precision by using the term "citizens
direct democracy".
----------------------------------
I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum
Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
http://www.iniref.org/
date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:56:31 +0100
author: I&Rgb info \@ iniref.org
|