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Consensus and direct democracy:Conceptual and empirical linkages

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European Journal of Political Research

Abstract

The first part of this paper draws a number oftheoretical connections between various forms ofdirect democracy and the two types of democracyoutlined by Lijphart. Plebiscites and mandatoryreferendums without quorums of consent are shown tocorrespond to majoritarian forms of democracy, whilstoptional referendums and initiatives with quorums ofconsent are shown to share similarities withpower-sharing forms. The second part of the paperoffers an empirical analysis of the different use ofcitizen-initiated referendums (optional referendumsand initiatives) in Switzerland's consensual systems(i.e., cantons) by examining to what extent the variouselements of power-sharing are developed. It is arguedthat referendums and initiatives are used lessfrequently when government coalitions have greaterstrength and local autonomy is more developed.

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  1. Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, Switzerland

    Adrian Vatter

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Vatter, A. Consensus and direct democracy:Conceptual and empirical linkages. European Journal of Political Research 38, 171–192 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007137026336

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