Top 10 list - Direct Democracy (#3)

I’ve lauded this in a post already so you know where I stand but truth be told,  they do get it wrong from time to time.  The most recent instances of this were in 2014 when the citizenry voted narrowly (50.3%) to restrict immigration (in the face of existing EU treaties) and the 2009 initiative banning the construction of new minarets.   Both of these embarrassments  were led by the SVP (Schweizerische Volkspartei), the Swiss People’s Party, their version of the Tea Party but not as irrationally nutty.   Such setbacks aside, and the reason I have this on my Top 10 list is that the opportunity to submit a popular referendum offers a huge advantage over our indirect system because it provides a path around special interests thus reducing the influence of lobbies.   This opportunity doesn’t displace the responsibility of the main law making body, it’s in addition to it.  Indeed, the Federal Council may make a counter proposal to one made by a citizen group which would result in two options landing on the ballot.  The one receiving more votes wins.   If the US had such an option then sensible initiatives could be proposed and voted on.   It’s an antidote to Congress’ continuous bickering and fighting as it allows the citizenry to simply go around them.   An example would be gun control.  While an extreme proposal, like an outright gun ban, could be made, it wouldn’t fly so the more likely scenario is a reasonable version that makes sense to most of the voters.  This opportunity for the real majority to be heard (not just the loudest or richest) is why Direct Democracy is #3 on the list for me.

© Die Landsgemeinde: ein Fresko von Albert Welti und Wilhelm Balmer