Modern Tools of Direct Democracy in the US Public Life

Cover Page

Cite item

Full Text

Open Access Open Access
Restricted Access Access granted
Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Abstract

Nowadays, in the era of multiple digital platforms for decision-making, the public and governmental interest towards direct democracy instruments is constantly growing.

The goal of this article is to determine the spheres of social life where direct democracy is most effective. The study will contain the analysis of existing societies where direct democracy is already implemented, the US society in particular. The definition of the modern direct democracy instruments will be given, as well as the legislative base of such instruments in various states of the USA and the criteria for analyzing all precedents of direct democracy in the USA in 2011–2020, taking into consideration their legal status in different states.

The conclusion of this article is the percentage ratio of direct democracy precedents in the USA in different spheres of social life.

Full Text

Restricted Access

About the authors

Natalia Yu. Markushina

St. Petersburg State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: Nat-markushina@yandex.ru

Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor at the Department of World Politics

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Nikolay L. Parfenenok

St. Petersburg State University

Email: n.parfenenok@spbu.ru

lecturer at the Department of European Studies department

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Roman A. Fyodorov

St. Petersburg State University

Email: Rci.fedorov@gmail.com

researcher at the Department of European Studies department

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

References

  1. Sullivan J. Direct legislation by the citizenship through the initiative and referendum. New York: True Nationalist Publishing Company, 1893.
  2. Magleby D. Direct legislation: Voting on ballot propositions in the United States. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.
  3. But J.J. Direct democracy in the constitution: Good or bad for democracy? The Theory and Practice of Legislation. 11.10.2023. Pp. 3–4.
  4. Schmidt D. Citizen Lawmakers: The ballot initiative revolution. New York: Temple University Press, 1989. Pp. 3–24.
  5. Mack A., Joy J. Marijuana as Medicine? The Science Beyond the Controversy. Washington (DC): National Academies Press, 2001. Pp. 23–28.
  6. Bowler S., Donovan T. Demanding choices: Opinion, voting, and direct democracy. Lansing: University of Michigan Press, 2000.
  7. Shrag P. Paradise lost: California’s experience, America’s future. San Francisco: The New Press, 1998.
  8. Ellis R.J. Democratic delusions: The initiative process in America. Topeka: Kansas University Press, 2002. Pp. 46–48.
  9. Savioz M., Feld L.P. Direct democracy matters for economic performance: An empirical investigation. Kyklos: International Review for Social Sciences, 28.06.2002.
  10. Matsusaka J. Fiscal effects of the voter initiative: Evidence from the last 30 years. Journal of Political Economy. 01.06.1995.
  11. Gerber E.R. Interest Group influence in the California initiative process. San Francisco: Public Policy Institute of California, 1998. Pp. 16–23.
  12. Gerber E.R. Stealing the initiative: How state government responds to direct democracy. Lansing: Prentice Hall, 2001.
  13. Markushina N.Y., Parfenenok N.L., Simonov D.P. Comparative analysis of US regions by actual and legal status of direct democracy. ORES. 2023. No. 2. Pp. 112–114. (In Rus.)
  14. Bell S. Do taxes and bonds finance government spending? Journal of Economic Issues. 2000. Vol. 34. No. 3. Pp. 603–620.
  15. Phillips A. How the Second Amendment was reinterpreted to protect individual rights. Washington Post. 31.05.2022.

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML
2. Fig. 1. Distribution of legislative initiatives in the United States by spheres of public life in 2011–2020. 1 – economics; 2 – taxes; 3 – healthcare; 4 – education; 5 – transport; 6 – labor; 7 – ecology; 8 – restriction; 9 – minorities; 10 – law

Download (5KB)
3. Fig. 2. Distribution of veto referendums in the USA in 2011–2020 by spheres of public life. 1 – economics; 2 – taxes; 3 – healthcare; 4– education; 5 – transport; 6 – labor and social policy; 7 – ecology; 8 – social contradiction; 9 – rights of minorities; 10 – law and order

Download (4KB)


This website uses cookies

You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.

About Cookies