Direct Democracy: Collective Power, the Swarm, and the Literatures of the Americas by Scott Henkel

The article explores the political effects of popular consultations as a means of direct democracy in struggles over mining. Building on concepts from participatory and materialist democracy theory, it shows the transformative potentials of processes of direct democracy towards democratization and emancipation under, and beyond, capitalist and liberal democratic conditions. Empirically the analysis is based on a case study on the protests against the La Colosa gold mining project in Colombia. The analysis reveals that although processes of direct democracy in conflicts over mining cannot transform existing class inequalities and social power relations fundamentally, they can nevertheless alter elements thereof. These are for example the relationship between local and national governments, changes of the political agenda of mining and the opening of new spaces for political participation, where previously there were none. It is here where it’s emancipatory potential can be found.

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Discursive construction of an anti-immigration Europe by a Sweden Democrat in the European Parliament

MIGRATION LETTERS ◽

10.33182/ml.v16i3.632 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 429-439

Author(s):

Kamber Güler

Keyword(s):

Critical Discourse Analysis ◽

Direct Democracy ◽

Public Discourse ◽

Social Power ◽

European Parliament ◽

Critical Discourse ◽

Discursive Construction ◽

Cognitive Approach ◽

The Public ◽

Political Group

Discourses are mostly used by the elites as a means of controlling public discourse and hence, the public mind. In this way, they try to legitimate their ideology, values and norms in the society, which may result in social power abuse, dominance or inequality. The role of a critical discourse analyst is to understand and expose such abuses and inequalities. To this end, this paper is aimed at understanding and exposing the discursive construction of an anti-immigration Europe by the elites in the European Parliament (EP), through the example of Kristina Winberg, a member of the Sweden Democrats political party in Sweden and the political group of Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy in the EP. In the theoretical and methodological framework, the premises and strategies of van Dijk’s socio-cognitive approach of critical discourse analysis make it possible to achieve the aim of the paper.

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PANCASILA DAN IDENTITAS KE-INDONESIA-AN: Sebuah Catatan Krisis

Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan Nakhoda ◽

10.35967/jipn.v16i2.5825 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Muchid Albintani

Keyword(s):

Political Party ◽

Direct Democracy ◽

Identity Crisis ◽

The State ◽

The Future ◽

Electoral Regime ◽

National Consensus

The term there is no legislation under development of Pancasila as the basis of the state, but theposition of Pancasila is unshakeable. The anti-Pancasila attitude must also be anti-diversity that can live as a nation and a state [national crises]. Without affirmation or not in the legislation, Pancasila is the ‘foundation and ideology of the state’. Based on the fact that there is irrelevant when the question arises, whether Pancasila is still needed as the basis of state and nation, or is Pancasila still needed as a source of national law that explicitly needs to be affirmed into the1945 Constitution and the sanctions of Pancasila tabulatively? This paper is an assertion of [reinforcement] of the Pencasila as an ideology into the 1945 Constitution or not, highly dependent on the winning electoral regime and the ‘election-winning political party’. Pancasila as ‘the foundation and ideology of the state’ becomes the determinant of ‘as close as the regime of the results of the practice of direct democracy’. Therefore, the affirmation of the essentials in building a lasting and harmonious life of fellow children of the nation in the future. Recognizing the reintroduction of the Indonesia’s identity of essence of Pancasila as the ideology of nation and state is based on ‘national consensus’. This awareness is resilient, so that a country that has been established for more than 73 years does not experience an identity crisis.

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The referendum as an institution in the Black Sea Region: Does it signal the rise or collapse of democracy?

Rocznik Instytutu Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej ◽

10.36874/riesw.2019.4.8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 161-185

Author(s):

Małgorzata Podolak

Keyword(s):

Black Sea ◽

Direct Democracy ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Moral Issues ◽

Black Sea Region ◽

Positive Effects ◽

The Subject ◽

Democratic Systems ◽

Important State ◽

Constitutional Changes

Views on the institution of direct democracy have changed during the period of democratic transition. The various advantages and positive effects of direct democracy have been confirmed by the practice of some democratic countries. Its educational and political activation value for society was also noted, without which civil society cannot form. The referendum is especially treated as the purest form of correlation between the views of society and the decisions of its representatives. In a situation where two representative bodies are present – the parliament and the president – a referendum is considered a means of resolving disputes between them in important state affairs. The referendum is nowadays becoming more than just a binding or consultative opinion on a legislative act, especially a constitution. First and foremost, it is important to see the extension of the type and scope of issues that are subject to direct voting. Apart from the traditional, i.e., constitutional changes, polarising issues that raise considerable emotion have become the subject of referenda. Problems of this type include, in particular, moral issues, membership in international organisations, and so-called ‘New Policy’. This article presents the role and importance of the referendum as an institution shaping the democratic systems of the Black Sea Region.

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