Referendum
A direct vote by the electorate on a proposal or law.
A referendum, plebiscite, or ballot measure is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue, rather than through their representatives. It may be binding, resulting in the adoption of a new policy, or consultive, functioning like a large opinion poll. The term 'referendum' is thought to have originated in the Swiss canton of Graubünden as early as the 16th century.
- First recorded use
- 16th century in Swiss canton of Graubünden
- Etymology
- Latin gerundive of referre, 'to carry back'
- Plural form (English)
- Referendums (logically preferable)
- Number of national referendums worldwide
- Hundreds since late 18th century
- Second most referendums
- Italy (78 national referendums)
Lore & Background
The word 'referendum' derives from the Latin gerundive of referre, meaning 'to carry back'. In Latin, it must be used with a noun, as in 'Propositum quod referendum est populo' ('A proposal which must be carried back to the people'). The addition of the verb 'est' denotes necessity or compulsion. Its use as a noun in English is a newly coined English noun, not a strictly grammatical Latin usage, which determines the plural form as 'referendums' in English. The use of 'referenda' as a plural is unsupportable under both Latin and English grammar rules, as it would imply a plurality of issues.
Reader's Guide
Referendums are an expression of direct democracy, but today most are understood within the context of representative democracy. They are used selectively, often on issues such as voting system changes where elected officials may lack legitimacy or inclination to act. The referendum as a political tool has increased in popularity since the 1970s, attributed to dealignment of the public with political parties, as specific policy issues became more important than party identifiers. Referendums can be classified by four dimensions: mandatory vs optional, binding vs consultative, citizen-initiated vs authorities-initiated, and proactive vs reactive. Mandatory referendums are required for certain actions like constitutional changes, while optional referendums are put to a vote as a result of a demand from authorities or citizens. The term 'plebiscite' has a similar meaning but in some countries is used differently; in Australia, 'referendum' often refers to constitutional changes, though usage is interchangeable historically, while in Ireland, 'plebiscite' referred to adopting its constitution, with subsequent amendments called 'referendums'.
Did You Know?
- The term 'referendum' is thought to have originated in the Swiss canton of Graubünden as early as the 16th century.
- The plural 'referenda' is unsupportable under both Latin and English grammar rules, as it would imply a plurality of issues.
- A mandatory referendum is required for certain government actions, such as constitutional changes, and does not require public signatures.
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