Preliminary communication

REALISING DIRECT DEMOCRACY IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

Damir Velički ; Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Having reflected on the concept of direct democracy and the possibility of its implementation, the author focuses on Germany and Austria. It is not possible to hold a federal referendum in Germany, although the Basic law explicitly states that the people exercise their power also through referenda. After analysing the Weimar experience with direct democracy, the author argues that the reasons why there are no direct democracy mechanisms at the federal level do not lie in the “bitter experience of the Weimar Republic”. Having considered the implementation of direct democracy mechanisms in the German provinces and in Austria, the author concludes that Germany and Austria are not the leading countries in employing direct democracy but they are surely not at the very back of the list.

Keywords

direct democracy; Germany; Austria; Weimar Republic; referendum; plebiscite

Hrčak ID:

37874

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/37874

Publication date:

15.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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