The referendum : direct democracy in Switzerland
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The referendum : direct democracy in Switzerland
Dartmouth, c1993
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p.[263]-273)
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The main aim of this work is to explore the impact of frequent referendums and initiatives upon the Swiss political system. Various institutions evolved specifically to cope with the repeated challenging of government decisions in the arena of direct democracy. Specific behaviour patterns on the part of various political protagonists can be linked to referendums. In addition, numerous Swiss parties and interest groups rose to power or prominence on the back of the referendum. This study identifies phenomena which may occur in politics that employ referenda less frequently.
Table of Contents
- Part 1 The development of the referendum in Switzerland: early direct democracy
- the rise of the referendum - revolution, restoration, and regeneration
- 1847-1891 - the dawn of the federal referendum
- 1891-1945 - direct democracy on the road to consensual politics
- direct democracy in the postwar period
- the mechanisms of direct democracy today
- an historical overview
- is Switzerland sui generis?. Part 2 The theoretical role of the referendum: direct versus representative democracy
- consensual versus majoritarian democracy
- central issues in the referendum debate. Part 3 Trends in the exercise of direct democracy: participation levels
- referendum outcomes. Part 5 The rise and impact of the initiative: the postwar surge of initiatives
- explaining the increase
- success at the polls
- the initiative as a bargaining chip
- other uses of initiatives
- general observations. Part 5 Parties, interest groups, and the expression of opinion: the effect of the referendum upon Swiss parties
- the effect of the referendum upon Swiss interest groups
- the initiative entrepeneur
- consultation and corporatism
- the exploitation of apathy. Part 6 The legislative process in the shadow of the referendum: the legislative process in Switzerland
- the impact of direct democracy upon legislative functions
- the impact of direct democracy upon parliamentary behaviour
- general effects of the referendum upon the Swiss legislature. Part 7 Case studies: the referendum on Swiss entry into the United Nations
- observations
- the initiative to abolish the army
- observations. Part 8 A comparative perspective: Australia
- Italy
- California
- general observations
- improving the device.
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