RF 2: Institutions and practice of Direct Democracy

As a pillar of the Swiss political system, direct democracy cannot be but a particularly central research object for a democracy centre in Switzerland. The variety of direct democracy transposing instruments and procedures is often underestimated, not only abroad, as well as the differences in the actual use of direct democratic institutions.

Project groups

• Direct Democracy in Switzerland
• Direct Democracy in the EU
• Direct Democracy in Germany
• Direct Democracy in the USA
• Direct Democracy in Latin America
• Direct Democracy in Asia

The people's constituent power: referendums on sovereignty issues

This project seeks to investigate the role of the referendum where contested sovereignty is at stake. It focuses on two dimensions of contested sovereignty: Firstly, issues related to territorial concerns, such as secession; and secondly, functional issues, such as delegation to international/supranational organisations. The aim is to map dynamics across distinct geographical regions and over time to better understand the intersection between direct democracy and contested sovereignty in an age of increasing globalisation and territorial reconfiguration.

project lead: Fernando Mendez
project collaborators: Andreas Auer, Corsin Bisaz, Nicolas Aubert, Micha Germann
further information (project database c2d)