Referendum
Topic: Democracy: Forms of Government, Principles and Outcomes · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 9 "Constitution as a Living Document"
Meaning
A referendum is a direct vote in which citizens approve or reject a proposal, such as a law or a constitutional amendment. It is one of the four devices of direct democracy, along with initiative, recall and plebiscite. India's Constitution has no referendum. Amendments are made by Parliament under Art. 368, and some also need ratification by the states.
Example
In Switzerland, every constitutional amendment must go to a referendum. A law goes to a vote if 50,000 citizens sign a demand for one. The UK's Brexit vote of 2016 was also a referendum. India debates whether referendums should be used for statehood or major constitutional change, weighing greater legitimacy against populism, risks to minority rights and voters lacking information.
Don't confuse with
- Plebiscite: a vote on sovereignty or territory, such as Junagadh in 1948.
- Initiative: citizens themselves propose the law and force a vote on it.