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Consensus and direct democracy: Conceptual and empirical linkages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Adrian Vatter
Adrian Vatter*
Affiliation:
Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, Switzerland
*
Address for Offprints:Dr Adrian Vatter, Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, Unitobler — Lerchenweg 36, CH–3000 Bern 9, Switzerland Phone: +41–31–631 32 85; Fax: +41–31–631 85 90; E-mail: adrian.vatter@ipw.unibe.ch
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Abstract

The first part of this paper draws a number of theoretical connections between various forms of direct democracy and the two types of democracy outlined by Lijphart. Plebiscites and mandatory referendums without quorums of consent are shown to correspond to majoritarian forms of democracy, whilst optional referendums and initiatives with quorums of consent are shown to share similarities with power–sharing forms. The second part of the paper offers an empirical analysis of the different use of citizen–initiated referendums (optional referendums and initiatives) in Switzerland's consensual systems (i.e., cantons) by examining to what extent the various elements of power–sharing are developed. It is argued that referendums and initiatives are used less frequently when government coalitions have greater strength and local autonomy is more developed.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
European Journal of Political Research , Volume 38 , Issue 2 , October 2000 , pp. 171 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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