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.
 |
