Reflections on the Brexit Referendum

A narrow result in a referendum about the constitution should always require a meaningful quorum. In most countries election results are regularly decided by the thinnest of margins. But the UK referendum about Brexit leaves a somewhat sour taste as the majority of 52% has defeated a minority of 48%. So there is quite a split among the citizens, and a different result would just have meant that the roles are reversed.

There are several lesson from the whole exercise:

The development of the EU and its institutions proceeded with little regard to the wishes of the electorate. Regular consultations on major steps forward should have been submitted to a referendum in all the member states, with a significant quorum (2/3?) as safety valve.

It should not be at the pleasure of a Politician whether or not a referendum takes place. If we want to live in a proper democracy the consultation of the citizens should be governed by mandatory and predictable rules. Otherwise the often mentioned objection to Direct Democracy - that it can be abused by Governments and referenda become plebiscites - will always have to be taken seriously.

Reflections on the Brexit Referendum

A narrow result in a referendum about the constitution should always require a meaningful quorum. In most countries election results are regularly decided by the thinnest of margins. But the UK referendum about Brexit leaves a somewhat sour taste as the majority of 52% has defeated a minority of 48%. So there is quite a split among the citizens, and a different result would just have meant that the roles are reversed.

There are several lesson from the whole exercise:

The development of the EU and its institutions proceeded with little regard to the wishes of the electorate. Regular consultations on major steps forward should have been submitted to a referendum in all the member states, with a significant quorum (2/3?) as safety valve.

It should not be at the pleasure of a Politician whether or not a referendum takes place. If we want to live in a proper democracy the consultation of the citizens should be governed by mandatory and predictable rules. Otherwise the often mentioned objection to Direct Democracy - that it can be abused by Governments and referenda become plebiscites - will always have to be taken seriously.

Zombie Governments - how to end the agony

Time and again a government has either lost its way or lost the confidence of the electorate. While sometimes a no-confidence vote in parliament can end the agony and prevent a zombie government from sitting out its term in office a more decisive way to take it out of its misery is called for. The citizens should be able to start a recall procedure if a qualified number of citizens support such a move. In a Direct Democracy such a crisis would be much less likely as citizens would have the ultimate say on all legislation. This would prevent that any government could deviate too far from the wishes of the majority.

Celebrity Politics due to lack of proper Democracy

When the likes of Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Bono and Bob Geldof can get prominent media exposure and access to political shakers and movers it is only due to the fact that democratic practice is dysfunctional. Neither they nor our politicians really do have a democratic mandate for the policies they support. Being detached from the electorate they form a closed society of cronies that mutually support each other. Politicians gain from being associated with supposedly glamorous 'artists' that the media fawn over while the 'celebrities' can boost their brand value. Has-beens such as Bill Clinton or Tony Blair later on effortlessly move from one side to the other and cash in on their prominence.

Merkel says Brexit Referendum 'Unnessary Risk'

From the Viewpoint of a traditional Top-Down political Operator she may well have a point. Anytime the citizens have a direct say in political decisions there is a 'risk' that the manipulations of party machines will be stopped dead in their tracks.

Party Cronies rule our Lives

In Austria the Chancellor is replaced at the drop of a hat. Party hacks decide he is no longer useful to keep them in power and he must go. In comes a political novice, never stood in an election, has zero mandate to rule as helpless citizens watch in disbelief.
In Italy a young politician close to the Prime Minister is allowed to manipulate the decades-old constitution. Main purpose to provide a safe and comfortable life for the ruling parties. At least there will have to be a referendum on the changes - but is it not all-too-easy to get the desired result? Is the required Quorum demanding enough (two thirds in favour, with at least 50 percent of those eligible to vote turning up? regional preferences catered for?)

Rich and Well-connected not accountable

"The perception of a system run and managed by a political establishment that serves the rich and connected and fails to hold these elites accountable for the damage they cause to the rest of society" (Mohamed El-Erian, Bloomberg)
We could not have said it better! While Direct Democracy would not be the perfect solution to this problem it would go a long way towards a more equitable economic and political system.

Two-Party System on the Way out?

The Slow, Inevitable, Collapse of the Two-Party System (OrientalReview)

More important - it does not really matter how many parties compete for your vote, and under what electoral system.The most important change to align politics with the wishes of the Citizens is the introduction of Direct Democracy on all levels of Government.

Just these days the Burghers of Zurich, Switzerland, will launch a referendum against the imposition of higher parking charges in their town. One may agree or not, but they do not have to helplessly accept the diktat from above.

Constitutional Change needs to be handled with Care

Changes to the Constitution must not be allowed to dictated by the political Establishment. There needs to be a mandatory consultation of the Electorate. At the same time only a qualified majority - including one supported by a qualified majority of regions - must be a binding requirement. Manipulations such as this one would not be possible.

Poland's new Leaders take aim at Democracy (Bloomberg)

Posting Comments poor Substitute for Direct Democracy

While posting to Media Websites (or phoning in to TV or Radio programmes) might be a good way to let off steam it is a less-than-satisfactory way to participate in the formation of Legislation. Whether it is 100 or 1000 posts, the effect is the same (or should one say the lack of effect?).
Only Initiatives, Petitions and binding Referendums ensure that the will of the Majority of the Voters is respected. And that means that it should not be left to the Governments to decide when a Vote is to be held, and on what issues.