Referendums or Rebellions?

         Revolts in Brazil, over the huge World Cup expenditures, have been in the news.  Considering the huge amounts spent, the uprisings are understandable, aren’t they? 

         Would it not have been better to have had a referendum about the issues?

         They did that in Kracow Poland, recently about a proposal to have the Olympic games held there. Apparently the citizens there voted against the idea – due to the   huge costs anticipated.

         That surely is  the right way to handle such issues, would not all of us who support the principle of democracy, agree? 

         Just why are not more referendums utilized throughout those parts of the world that are not autocratically led? It could be that they are not as democratic as they pretend to be.  Leaders of whatever persuasion seem to believe they have the power and right to do whatever they deem best for the people. And, they do not wish to be second-guessed by the very people they lead. 

         But, areas which have advanced their democratic processes to include the rights to initiatives and thence referendums, do seem to get along very successfully. That includes Switzerland, not just the country , but the cantons and municipalities. There, on March 3, 2013   the people voted not to increase a minimum wage. Citizens in a democracy must be trusted to understand what is best. That is what democracy is all  about.

         Almost half of the United States have frequent referendums  - which do not seem to upset the successful running of those states.

          Could we not expand the trust and understanding of more citizens if we permitted them to have votes on issues? Such vote would of course have to be binding upon the government. Apparently referendums in Italy are often just ignored by their legislators; and the Supreme Court would have to understand their role as interpreters of laws . Although it is extremely difficult to fulfill the strict conditions set out in British Columbia’s referendum laws, the courts there have interpreted at least one such effort with proper sympathy. Will more be forthcoming soon?

         Modern democracy seems to demand it, if we are to be governed by more than protests and rebellions.