Research Catalog

Direct democracy worldwide

Title
Direct democracy worldwide / David Altman.
Author
Altman, David, 1968-
Publication
Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Filter by

1 Item

StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextUse in library JFE 11-941Schwarzman Building - Main Reading Room 315

Details

Description
xvi, 248 p. : ill.; 25 cm.
Summary
  • "Challenging the assumption that models of direct democracy and representative democracy are necessarily at odds, this book demonstrates how practices of direct and representative democracy interact under different institutional settings and uncovers the conditions that allow them to coexist in a mutually reinforcing manner"--Provided by publisher.
  • "Challenging the common assumption that models of direct democracy and representative democracy are necessarily at odds, Direct Democracy Worldwide demonstrates how practices of direct and representative democracy interact under different institutional settings and uncovers the conditions that allow them to coexist in a mutually reinforcing manner. Whereas citizen-initiated mechanisms of direct democracy can spur productive relationships between citizens and political parties, other mechanisms of direct democracy often help leaders bypass other representative institutions, undermining republican checks and balances. The book also demonstrates that the embrace of direct democracy is costly, may generate uncertainties and inconsistencies, and in some cases is easily manipulated. Nonetheless, the promise of direct democracy should not be dismissed. Direct democracy is much more than a simple, pragmatic second choice when representative democracy seems not to be working as expected. Properly designed, it can empower citizens, breaking through some of the institutionalized barriers to accountability that arise in representative systems"--Provided by publisher.
Subject
  • Direct democracy
  • Comparative government
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents
Machine generated contents note: 1. Direct democracy at the turn of the century; 2. Terms of the debate surrounding direct democracy; 3. Myths and facts behind the use of mechanisms of direct democracy: a worldwide analysis; 4. Direct democracy within non-democratic regimes; 5. Direct democracy within weak democracies: some cases from Latin America; 6. Direct democracy within democracies: the case of Uruguay (historic evolution, and voting behavior); 7. Uruguayan citizen-initiated mechanisms of direct democracy as agents of vertical accountability; 8. Conclusions.
Call Number
JFE 11-941
ISBN
  • 9781107001640 (hardback)
  • 1107001641 (hardback)
LCCN
2010029360
OCLC
YBP 2010029360
Author
Altman, David, 1968-
Title
Direct democracy worldwide / David Altman.
Imprint
Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Research Call Number
JFE 11-941
View in Legacy Catalog