Living in Switzerland, I found that reading Referendumania: Direct democracy is spreading across Europe. That is not always a good thing is a teeth grinding experience.
Referendumania: Direct democracy is spreading across Europe. That is not always a good thing
They write, for example: “But the recent referendums are not just wholesome exercises in civic engagement. They also reflect widespread alienation from politics and anger at the governing class. Support for old political parties has withered, while populist, anti-EU parties are gaining ground. Governments derided as elitist and out of touch find it hard to resist calls to submit controversial issues to a popular vote.” It’s hard for me to understand what point they are trying to make. The problem seems to be widespread alienation from politics and the implied solution is to keep people away from politics?
Or: “Still other referendums are pushed by single-issue groups, often with an anti-EU slant. The Dutch Ukraine vote was launched by Eurosceptic activists taking advantage of a new law that grants a referendum on any issue that can attract 300,000 supporting signatures. The vote became a proxy for discontent with the EU, not just the trade deal.” The problem seems to be discontent with the EU. The article is such that its tone seems to imply that more referendums are a problem, but the actual supporting facts they provide seem to indicate that widespread discontent with current politics is the real culprit, here. It is written from the point of view of a political establishment that sees their power base crumble. The countries lie in ruins, people no longer have faith in the future. Will the pension system still be around when we’re old? Will there be jobs for us when we finish our schools and universities? People are realizing that even if you win the rat race, you’re still a rat!
“For a start, it makes it increasingly hard to agree on transnational policies. Treaties are generally signed by governments and then ratified by legislatures. Adding referendums to the mix hugely complicates matters.” Oh no! Complicated issue is complicated!
“In countries such as Switzerland, the political system has adjusted to them. But elsewhere, [...], they tend to make politicians look as if they do not know what they are doing.” Because, in actual fact, they know what they are doing? Sometimes I wonder.
I was reminded of Diese besorgten Bürger werden uns zugrunde richten by Kattascha: “Wir sind die Champions Europas. Aber wer ist eigentlich wir? Der Durchschnittsverdiener, der mitgeteilt bekommt, dass seine Rente für nichts reichen wird? Die Alleinerziehende, die sich von Monat zu Monat durchschlägt und abends auf der Couch erschöpft und traumlos einschläft? Die Pflegerin, die insgeheim hofft niemals bei ihrem Arbeitgeber in Pflege gegeben zu werden, weil längst nach Minuten und nicht nach Bedürfnissen abgerechnet wird? Die Wahrheit ist doch die: Deutschland sagt nicht Sorry für die Agenda 2010. Für Rentenkürzungen. Für Riester-Disaster. Denn Deutschland geht es doch so gut. Nur wird für viele immer klarer: Wir sind nicht dieses Deutschland. Und werden es auch nie sein.”
Diese besorgten Bürger werden uns zugrunde richten
#Switzerland #Germany #Democracy