plebiscitary

Plebiscitary describes actions or systems that rely on plebiscites—direct votes by the eligible population to decide a specific question, such as a policy, constitutional change, or leadership appointment. A plebiscitary approach places a key element of decision-making in the hands of the people rather than solely in representative institutions.

Etymology: From Latin plebiscitus, literally “of the common people,” from plebs. In modern political language, plebiscitary denotes not only the use of plebiscites but a broader style of politics that seeks legitimacy through popular consent, sometimes emphasizing direct democracy while potentially bypassing ordinary legislative deliberation.

Usage and interpretation: In comparative politics, plebiscitary refers to measures that are binding or advisory depending on constitutional design. The term is often used descriptively to characterize a government that repeatedly resorts to popular votes to authorize policy, or a political rhetoric that claims a mandate from the citizenry. Critics may view plebiscitary approaches as concentrating power in the masses or as tactics to legitimize decisions rather than to foster deliberation.

Examples and context: Plebiscites have been used to approve constitutional reforms, territorial changes, or leadership selection in various countries. They appear in both democratic and authoritarian or semi-authoritarian contexts, where the plebiscite serves to demonstrate legitimacy or to mobilize public support.

See also: plebiscite, referendum, direct democracy, popular sovereignty.