A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to accept or reject a specific proposal, such as a law, a constitutional change or a question of independence.
Historical proponents:Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas PaineImportant national questions should be decided by more often.
Nothing is sent anywhere.
Unlike elections to choose representatives, a referendum asks voters to decide an issue directly. Some are binding and the government must act on the result; others are advisory. Some are required by the constitution, for example before changing it, while others are called by governments or triggered by citizens’ petitions.
Switzerland holds national votes several times a year, and US states and many other countries use ballot initiatives and referendums. Supporters say they give citizens a direct voice. Critics say they can oversimplify complex issues, be swayed by campaigns, or let majorities override minorities.
Influential figures in the 12 axes thinker pool who advocated, analyzed or shaped ideas around this concept.
Genevan philosopher & writer · 1712–1778
A Genevan writer who held that legitimate law expresses the general will of the citizens, and who blamed inequality and the refinements of civilisation for corrupting natural human goodness.
“Direct popular sovereignty expressed through the civic assembly and the general will.”
Pamphleteer & revolutionary · 1737–1809
An English-born pamphleteer whose Common Sense and Rights of Man argued for American independence, republican government and public provision for the poor, and whose Age of Reason attacked revealed religion.
“Uncompromising advocate of universal suffrage, representative republic, and overthrow of hereditary rule.”
Real cases that people point to when they use the word.
The 2016 UK referendum on leaving the European Union.
Switzerland’s regular national votes on laws and constitutional amendments.
Ireland’s referendums on marriage equality (2015) and on abortion (2018).
Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum.
Reasonable people disagree about this. These are the strongest points made on each side.
The test asks about it in a statement. Your answer moves one axis score.
Agreeing that important national questions should be decided by referendum more often moves your score toward the Democratic side of the Democratic vs Autocratic axis.
Which way agreeing pushes the score
Agreeing with a statement about referendum moves your score toward Democratic.
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Three statements gave you a first reading. The full test scores all twelve axes and finds your closest countries and ideologies.