David Stadelmann Recommends “Public Policy and the Initiative and Referendum: A Survey with Some New Evidence” by John G. Matsusaka

Abstract

In most developed economies, about half of gross domestic product is redistributed through means of collective decisions. The remainder is profoundly influenced by laws, regulation, i.e. by collective decisions again. Collective decisions themselves are more and more often taken by employing instruments of direct democracy. An increasingly critical, reflective, and educated citizenry requests more direct control over policy issues that are of importance to them. The trend towards direct democracy is likely to continue throughout the twenty-first century.