The use of direct democracy – as a complement to elections – has grown significantly in recent years. Yet there has been little systematic analysis of its implications and consequences for different countries. Switzerland has the longest experience of direct democracy, dating to the 19th century. Over the past 10 years the use of direct democracy has become more widespread, especially in Latin America where it has played an increasingly important role in involving citizens in the political process.
Against this background, International IDEA recently convened a two day conference in Buenos Aires on Direct Democracy in Latin America together with two partners, the Research Center on Direct Democracy at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and the School of Government and Politics at the National University of San Martin, Argentina. The conference brought together academics in the field of law and political science, representatives of government and civil society to discuss the rise of direct democracy in Latin America. Speakers came from Latin America, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Modern direct democracy takes three basic forms: referendums, citizens initiatives and recall votes (to revoke the term of a public office holder). At varying times they have been used to resolve a number of political, legislative or constitutional issues. But the very notion of direct or participatory democracy itself is also expanding to include citizens’ participatory budget formulation or open council meetings at the local level. The growing use of information technology is also becoming a potent means for citizens to have a more direct impact on politics and government.
Participants explored the pros and cons of direct democracy and addressed the effect it has on existing political systems. Whether direct democracy adds to or detracts from democratization; whether it works better at the local or national level; the problems associated with direct participation and the impact of technology on the democratic process were all issues for discussion at the conference.
From left: Héctor Riveros (Colombia), Virginia Beramendi (International IDEA) and Daniel Sabsay (Argentina)
Compared to Switzerland, Latin America is a novice with direct democracy though some countries, such as Uruguay, have a long established tradition of direct democracy mechanisms such as referendums. In other countries, direct democracy has been used as a political ploy to mobilize the voters in favour of one political player over another. Bolivian analyst, Fernando Mayorga, pointed out that direct democracy mechanisms can be a sign of an active civil society. So too, referendums and plebiscites can be used to engage citizens more in the political process. Andreas Auer, from the University Geneva, noted that the use of more informal mechanisms of direct democracy in Latin America distinguishes its experience from Switzerland where referendum or plebiscites are structured legal affairs.
By the end of the conference a consensus emerged that there are still significant gaps of understanding about the operation and effects of direct democracy. However, a number of key themes became evident:
- there is a need to assemble comparative information on the operation of direct democracy in order to develop a deeper understanding of its effects;
- the analysis of this material will provide a road for reform in particular countries; and
- the political context in each country needs to be taken into account.
Therefore, International IDEA and its partners are currently conducting a global survey on the practice of direct democracy worldwide. The survey aims at collecting data on laws and regulations regarding the instruments of direct democracy to raise awareness about direct democratic processes worldwide. It will form the basis of a database with comparative information on direct democratic procedures for legislators and institutional designers and other stakeholders involved in strengthening and reforming electoral processes and systems.
International IDEA also plans to publish a Handbook in 2007 on direct democracy worldwide, based on the data from the global survey. It will include in-depth studies of several country specific procedures, as well as a comparative table of data on the worldwide practice of direct democracy. This Handbook will be useful for policy-makers, administrators, campaigners, political parties, and academics alike. The papers delivered at the Buenos Aires conference will considerably assist the work being undertaken by the direct democracy project.
