The Referendum as the Most Important Mechanism for the Realization of Democracy in a State Governed by the Rule of Law

The holding of referendums has recently become a general practice of securing the most important decisions of state importance. However this form of expression of the will of the population is not always obligatory and can be aimed at satisfying precisely its interests. Purpose: to study the essence of the referendum, as a source of making the most important decisions, as well as criticism of its main mechanisms, taking into account the analysis of the functioning of those elements of the modern management system, the activities of which may be affected by the conduct of the general vote in question. Methodological basis: philosophical analysis of the categories "essence" and "phenomenon" taking into account the application of the foundations of dialectics and critical analysis. Results: the author declares the uniqueness of the essence of the referendum in comparison with other forms of free expression of the will of citizens, and also provides grounds that indicate the imperfection of existing approaches to its use in practice. Conclusions: a referendum is a special form of making the most important state decisions, but its use largely depends on the activity of the population itself and its interest in expanding the democratic foundations of building society.

state, society, referendum, popular vote, choice, democracy, sovereignty, plebiscite