Direct Democracy

Direct democracy

forms of direct participation of citizens in democratic decision making, in contrast to indirect or representative democracy.

Initiative

citizen-initiated policy idea. (statute or constitutional amendment)

or indirect (proposed to legislature)

Initiative can be direct (straight to referendum)

Referendum

simply a vote by the people on a policy
proposal;(legislatively referred vs. initiative created or constitutional amendment)

True

True or False: almost every state requires a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment

Through people collecting signatures. If it receives enough votes, then it becomes a law.

How do ballot initiatives work?

Direct initiative

Straight to referendum. Citizens have an idea, get signatures, and then question goes on ballot.

Indirect initiative

Proposed to legislature

Direct primary, direct election of senators, suffrage for women.

Adoption of direct democracy in progressive era

party competition creates incentives for parties to change

Possible explanations for progressive era changes

Agenda-setting

The idea is to end-run or compel the legislature to address topics that they aren’t

Wealthy people

Who participates in direct democracy

Formal theory

The sub-area of political science that uses models to develop insights and learn about the world

whether voters are really capable of making these decisions

Concern with referendums