Let’s have lots of referendums
Here’s another thing I like about the rectangular states: their initiative and referendum rules. Colorado has perhaps the most ample provisions for direct democracy of any US state. Its people regularly bypass their legislators to settle questions directly. As a rule, direct democracy tends to favour limited government, for the obvious reason that politicians tend to be more pro-politician than non-politicians. Referendums are likelier than professional legislators to produce balanced budget amendments, term limits and recall mechanisms. But it would be wrong to see direct democracy as an intrinsically Rightist force. Recent referendums in Colorado have resulted a hike in the minimum wage, a levying of a tobacco tax and a ban on bear-traps. This is important, because the right of popular initiative needs to have broad support, which it wouldn’t have if it were seen simply as a conservative device. Referendums are Right-wing only to the extent that the standing bureaucracies that rule us are generally to the Left of public opinion, and plebiscites make it harder for them to pursue their pet schemes. “Would you want a referendum on hanging?” I am often asked. Yes. As an opponent of capital punishment, and I accept that I might lose. But that’s what democracy means. (Incidentally, I’m not sure I would lose: those US states that allow for citizens’ initiative have been statistically less likely to reintroduce the death penalty than those which don’t; and the only referendum on the issue, in Ireland, resulted in abolition.) Referendums are always and everywhere a good idea, serving to remind our rulers of whom they answer to. Let’s start by having one on the EU. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100001232/lets-have-lots-of-referendums/
Here’s another thing I like about the rectangular states: their initiative and referendum rules. Colorado has perhaps the most ample provisions for direct democracy of any US state. Its people regularly bypass their legislators to settle questions directly. As a rule, direct democracy tends to favour limited government, for the obvious reason that politicians tend to be more pro-politician than non-politicians. Referendums are likelier than professional legislators to produce balanced budget amendments, term limits and recall mechanisms. But it would be wrong to see direct democracy as an intrinsically Rightist force. Recent referendums in Colorado have resulted a hike in the minimum wage, a levying of a tobacco tax and a ban on bear-traps. This is important, because the right of popular initiative needs to have broad support, which it wouldn’t have if it were seen simply as a conservative device. Referendums are Right-wing only to the extent that the standing bureaucracies that rule us are generally to the Left of public opinion, and plebiscites make it harder for them to pursue their pet schemes. “Would you want a referendum on hanging?” I am often asked. Yes. As an opponent of capital punishment, and I accept that I might lose. But that’s what democracy means. (Incidentally, I’m not sure I would lose: those US states that allow for citizens’ initiative have been statistically less likely to reintroduce the death penalty than those which don’t; and the only referendum on the issue, in Ireland, resulted in abolition.) Referendums are always and everywhere a good idea, serving to remind our rulers of whom they answer to. Let’s start by having one on the EU. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100001232/lets-have-lots-of-referendums/