referendiga

Referendiga is a term used in political science to describe a form of governance in which public referendums play a central role in policymaking. It denotes both the process of proposing and deciding laws or constitutional changes through direct votes by eligible citizens and the institutional framework that supports such votes. The concept emphasizes direct democracy and seeks to balance representative systems with popular input.

Origins and usage: The word is a neologism that blends referendum with a suffix to indicate a system or practice. It is used mainly in theoretical discussions and comparative politics rather than as a universally adopted institutional label.

Procedures and features: In a referendiga system, referendums may be mandatory for certain issues, optional for others, or initiated by citizens through petitions. Thresholds for approval, the role of the legislature, campaigning rules, funding, and whether results are binding or advisory vary by jurisdiction. Some variants allow citizen initiatives, while others restrict the timing or topics of referendums.

Advantages and criticisms: Proponents argue that referendiga enhances political legitimacy, broadens public deliberation, and provides a check on elite decision-making. Critics warn of populism, the potential for misinformation, difficulty translating technical policy into simple votes, and the risk that low turnout or manipulation influences outcomes.

Examples and practice: Real-world parallels exist in established direct-democracy systems. Switzerland, Ireland, and other democracies use referenda for constitutional amendments or major policy questions, while many countries employ referendums more rarely or only in advisory form.