We live in an age of democracy. Very few people challenge the virtues of "government by the people," yet, politicians and commentators are fond of decrying the "crisis of democracy." How do these views square up? This book provides the answer by surveying the philosophical history of democracy and its critics and by analyzing empirical data about citizen participation in Britain and other developed democracies. In addition to analysis of major political thinkers like Plato, Machiavelli and J.S. Mill, the book analyzes how modern technology has influenced democracy. An essential book for...
We live in an age of democracy. Very few people challenge the virtues of "government by the people," yet, politicians and commentators are fond of dec...
We live in an age of democracy. Very few people challenge the virtues of 'government by the people', yet politicians and commentators are fond of decrying the 'crisis of democracy'. How do these views square up?
This book provides the answer by surveying the philosophical history of democracy and its critics and by analysing empirical data about citizen participation in Britain and other developed democracies.
In addition to analysis of major political thinkers like Plato, Machiavelli and J.S. Mill, the book analyses how modern technology has influenced...
We live in an age of democracy. Very few people challenge the virtues of 'government by the people', yet politicians and commentators are fond of d...
Vernon Bogdanor - one of Britain's foremost constitutional experts who has written extensively on political and constitutional issues - once told The Guardian, that he made -a living of something that doesn't exist.- Bogdanor also quipped that the British Constitution can be summed up in seven words: -Whatever the Queen in Parliament decides is law.- That may still be the case, yet, in many ways, the once elusive Constitution has now become much more grounded, much more tangible, and much more based on written sources than was previously the case. The British Constitution now exists in a way...
Vernon Bogdanor - one of Britain's foremost constitutional experts who has written extensively on political and constitutional issues - once told The ...
Should citizens be allowed to propose legislation? Should they even be allowed to recall politicians if they do not live up to their expectations? These questions and many others form the subject of this timely book. In addition to presenting an up to date review of the empirical literature, Direct Democracy provides a survey of the political philosophers who have theorised about this subject. It is the central tenet in the book that the demand for direct democracy is a consequence of the demand for more consumer choices. Like consumers want individualised products, so voters want...
Should citizens be allowed to propose legislation? Should they even be allowed to recall politicians if they do not live up to their expectations? ...
Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there has yet been no systematic study or generalized theory concerning their effectiveness. Referendums and Ethnic Conflict fills the gap with a comparative and empirical analysis of all the referendums held on ethnic and national issues from the French Revolution to the 2012 referendum on statehood for Puerto Rico. Drawing on political theory and descriptive case studies, Matt Qvortrup creates typologies of referendums that are held to endorse secession, redraw disputed borders, legitimize a...
Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there has yet been no systematic study or generalized theory c...
Surveying all referendums around the world since 1793, Dr Qvortrup and contributors provide a thorough account of why and when citizens have been asked to vote on policy issues. Referendums Around the World is essential reading for political scientists and others interested in direct democracy as well as representative government.
Surveying all referendums around the world since 1793, Dr Qvortrup and contributors provide a thorough account of why and when citizens have been aske...
Vernon Bogdanor - one of Britain's foremost constitutional experts who has written extensively on political and constitutional issues - once told The Guardian that he made 'a living of something that doesn't exist.' He also quipped that the British Constitution can be summed up in eight words: 'Whatever the Queen in Parliament decides is law.' That may still be the case, yet in many ways the once elusive British Constitution has now become much more grounded, much more tangible, and much more based on written sources than was previously the case. It now exists in a way in which it previously...
Vernon Bogdanor - one of Britain's foremost constitutional experts who has written extensively on political and constitutional issues - once told The ...
In 2016 the UK will vote on its continued membership of the European Union. The mechanism allowing this, the referendum, is little used and as a result little understood by the electorate. This book offers much needed clarity on the question. It asks if referendums are a force for good in democratic societies and whether they allow for full political engagement. It provides an overview of the rules governing referendums by asking who can vote? And, how much money can be spent? To counter the technical and political analysis, it draws on anecdotes and lessons from history to allow the voter to...
In 2016 the UK will vote on its continued membership of the European Union. The mechanism allowing this, the referendum, is little used and as a resul...
Summarising and analysing all the nationwide referendums since 1793, this new edition asks such questions as: Are the resulting decisions prudent? Why were these issues submitted to referendums? Why did most voters vote against the governments recommendations? Have 'the people had grown tired of the old political class? Is this a new tendency?
Summarising and analysing all the nationwide referendums since 1793, this new edition asks such questions as: Are the resulting decisions prudent? Why...
