CymraegDirect Democracy
The best example we have of Direct Democracy working in a developed society is Switzerland. The Swiss have been using direct democracy at every level of government for about 160 years. They have combined it with representative government to develop a successful and cohesive society. While other nations have split along ethnic and religious lines the Swiss have managed to accommodate a people who speak three major languages (German, French and Italian), and a fairly even split between Catholicism and Protestantism.
In Switzerland any seven voters can submit a request for a referendum. Over the next eighteen months they then have to collect the signatures of 100,000 voters and if they succeed a referendum is held on their proposal. The Swiss people can also use referendums to reject any law they do not approve of, and any constitutional change must go to the people for approval.
The use of direct democracy in other nations at national level is usually limited to constitutional issues but there has been extensive, and increasing use of it at state and local level in America.
Direct democracy does limit the power of representative government. We don't campaign against representative government which we see as an important part of the political process, but we believe the people should be sovereign, in theory and in practice.
'Parliamentary sovereignty' will end, and we make no apologies for this. In the past the ideologies and enthusiasms of our representatives have often caused us considerable disruption and expense. By giving people more say in how they are governed we make our representatives more accountable, and for many Parliamentarians this will offer new and exciting opportunities. They will be able to develop new policies and projects hand in hand with their constituents and colleagues, knowing that they too can use these new processes.
There have been several articles in newspapers about direct democracy. To read them please click on the links below. The links open separate windows.