[GJM] Definition of direct democracy by the people (revised)

[robert searle]

--- I&Rgb <info at iniref.org> wrote:

> Definition of citizens’ direct democracy (1)(2).
> Revised March 2008
> 
> Comments again invited.
> 
> We define citizens’ direct democracy CDD to include
> those forms of
> governance in which the electorate decides on
> issues, matters of public
> concern, in addition to choosing among candidates
> for council or
> parliament (indirect or "representative" democracy).
> This form of
> democracy CDD is often referred to as "the
> initiative and referendum".
> 
> Political power in CDD is exercised by “The People”
> although parliament
> and government continue to operate as well.
> 
> The term “citizens’ direct democracy” refers to
> forms of democratic
> decision-making which can be initiated by an agreed
> number of citizens
> and which can lead to a decision by ballot or vote
> of the whole
> electorate. In this context "ballot" means the same
> as binding
> referendum or plebiscite. Thus citizens can select
> and determine public
> issues, stipulate the wording of proposals and put
> proposals to the
> whole electorate of the state, city, town, village
> or other political
> unit. Examples of such procedures are:
> -- the citizens’ law-proposal (initiative) leading
> to ballot,
> -- the veto referendum,
> -- the constitutional referendum and
> -- the recall-initiative.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------
> 
> 1. The term "direct democracy" has been applied
> (sometimes wrongly) to a
> range of conditions, systems and procedures in
> governance and public
> constitution. We try to achieve precision by using
> the term "citizens’
> direct democracy".
> 
> 2. The following procedures do *not* conform to the
> definition of CDD
> -- petition to ruling authority,
> -- consultation,
> -- citizens’ jury,
> -- “citizens’ budget”,
> -- referendum imposed or decreed by a ruling
> authority or parliament,
> -- referendum which is only consultative,
> -- referendum which is not legally binding on
> parliament and government.
> 
>
-----------------------------------------------------------
> I&R ~ GB Citizens' Initiative and Referendum
> Campaign for direct democracy in Britain
> http://www.iniref.org/
> e-mail info at iniref.org
> 
> 



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