Improved model of democracy

[Wallace-Macpherson]

When in the early 1990s countries of eastern Europe were "shopping
around" for new constitutions and systems of governance it seems that
some were keen to improve on existing models, e.g. those of Britain or
the USA.

Regarding the form of democracy, Slovenia looks quite advanced.

The very recent referendum vote of the Slovenian people to join the
European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation may cause a
curious few to ask how the system works.

A glance at the the University of Geneva's web site can help.
http://c2d.unige.ch/int/OverviewInstits/t-slovenia.html

It seems that for some constitutional matters a referendum
("obligatory") must be held. Assuming that the voter turnout is
adequate, the result is legally binding. This contrasts with the
situation in Britain. If a referendum is held on, say, joining the Euro
zone, this will *not* bind parliament or government - it's only
advisory.

Also, the Slovenians have the right to make a proposal - presumably for
a new law - the "citizens' initiative". There are some rather severe
restrictions on this procedure, which may explain why it has never been
used. In the USA there is no citizens' initiative at country level at
all (only in some states).

Wallace-Macpherson

Citizens' Initiative and Referendum I&R
http://www.iniref.org
http://www.sztaki.hu/servlets/voting/call
e-mail: in...@SPAMiniref.NOTorg

[Ha!Ha!Ha!]

On Mon, 24 Mar 2003 19:02:35 +0100, Wallace-Macpherson
<m...@WITHOUTiniref.org> wrote:

>When in the early 1990s countries of eastern Europe were "shopping
>around" for new constitutions and systems of governance it seems that
>some were keen to improve on existing models, e.g. those of Britain or
>the USA.
>
>Regarding the form of democracy, Slovenia looks quite advanced.
>
>The very recent referendum vote of the Slovenian people to join the
>European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation may cause a
>curious few to ask how the system works.
>
>A glance at the the University of Geneva's web site can help.
>http://c2d.unige.ch/int/OverviewInstits/t-slovenia.html
>
>It seems that for some constitutional matters a referendum
>("obligatory") must be held. Assuming that the voter turnout is
>adequate, the result is legally binding. This contrasts with the
>situation in Britain. If a referendum is held on, say, joining the Euro
>zone, this will *not* bind parliament or government - it's only
>advisory.
>
>Also, the Slovenians have the right to make a proposal - presumably for
>a new law - the "citizens' initiative". There are some rather severe
>restrictions on this procedure, which may explain why it has never been
>used. In the USA there is no citizens' initiative at country level at
>all (only in some states).
>

hence government by fascist junta