The history of direct democracy

It is still not entirely clear how and why modern direct democracy, with its main instruments of popular initiative and referendum, has taken root and established itself in the so disparate Swiss cantons of the 19 century.

Forum for the research on direct democracy

The "Forum for the Research of Direct Democracy" was founded in September 2006 by the historian René Roca. Workshops aiming at the building of a network of scien-tists are being organized regularly. These are colloquia updating democracy research promoting interdisciplinary exchange and further research projects.

The forum is a private initiative without any formal link to the ZDA.

project leader: René Roca, Historian
further information (Website)