Populist Attitudes and Direct Democracy: A Questionable Relationship

Earlier research links citizens’ populist attitudes with the support for referendums. However, foundations and meaning of this relationship remain unclear. This note proposes a theoretical, conceptual methodological discussion that identifies three main problems: studies linking referendums have rather narrow theoretical framing limited to studies, there is much ambiguity surrounding role direct democracy in political system, tautology studying between as measured through various indices preferences democracy. Our goal discuss such problems propose several avenues circumvent them. In particular, we believe connecting adjacent literatures beyond could be an important improvement. Frühere wissenschaftliche Studien stellen fest, dass populistisch eingestellte Bürger:innen Referenden besonders befürworten. Die Grundlagen und die Bedeutung dieses Zusammenhangs stehen allerdings aus. vorliegende Studie schlägt einen theoretischen, konzeptionellen methodologischen Ansatz vor identifiziert drei Hauptprobleme: Studien, Zusammenhang zwischen eingestellten deren Befürwortung für feststellen, nutzen eher engen theoretischen Rahmen, der sich auf populistische beschränkt; sie deuten Rolle direkten Demokratie im politischen System unterschiedlich; es besteht eine Tautologie bei Untersuchung Beziehung populistischen Einstellungen, durch verschiedene Indizes gemessen werden, den Präferenzen direkte Demokratie. Unser Ziel ist es, diese Probleme zu diskutieren Ansätze vorzuschlagen, wie vermieden werden können. Insbesondere glauben wir, Einbeziehung benachbarter Literaturen Populismus-Forschung wesentlich weiterbringen kann. Les travaux antérieurs font ressortir un lien fort chez les citoyens entre populistes et le soutien au référendum. Cependant, fondements théoriques la signification de cette relation ne sont pas totalement clairs. Cette recherche une théorique, conceptuelle méthodologique des antérieurs. Elle identifie trois problèmes principaux : cadrage théorique liant démocratie directe mériterait d’être élargi, fonction exacte dans système politique doit être clarifiée, il y certaine tautologie indicateurs mobilisés pour étudier La solutions permettant contourner ou résoudre ces problèmes, notamment en élargissant au-delà études sur populisme, s’ancrant littératures adjacentes. Several works recently tried connect They build upon longstanding reflections among scholars working on ideational – opposed strategic or discursive populism regarding conception promoted by actors. describe people-centric nature (Canovan 1999; Mair 2002; Mudde 2004) promotes model which people should lie at core “politics expression volonté générale (general will) People” (Mudde 2004: 543). Ideational considered closely connected (referendums) particular 2007: 151-152). The empirical seeking gauge use survey items. Their findings indicate are positively associated either terms providing them more decisive decision-making process. Evidence comes from Netherlands (Jacobs al. 2018; Zaslove 2020), comparison France, Germany, Switzerland UK (Mohrenberg 2019), 17 European countries (Rose Wessels 2020). These concept common, but they operationalize it differently. scale developed Akkerman (2014), measurement proposed Schulz colleagues (2018), measure item referring how will unconstrained minorities. We welcome contribution made these towards better understanding what citizens support. A recent work illustrates holding Turkey, five Latin American, nine were supportive know little about kind support, want organized (Kaltwasser van Hauwaert spite their merits, far closing debate. our opinion, merely pave way ways can improved do it. first section outlines need enlarge mere literature populism. second focuses lack clarity system. third some methodologies used relate final further along lines identified note. deviates standard approach many articles. It does not test hypotheses derived established body because goal. Instead, publications topic has raised significant interest recently, multiplying. Research projects show agenda being closed. therefore important, believe, allow broader future improved. More precisely, dimensions that, invite scholarly then examine other strands develop fruitful new argue suffer problem framing. almost exclusively rooted populism, while largely ignoring two directly relevant interest. First, public referendums, Bowler, Donovan Karp (2007) Schuck Vreese (2015), hardly mentioned. Second, also tend leave aside burgeoning different models democracy, including Insights enrich link let us look where one variable education. underlined education complex capture. Support may come both lower educated higher (Bowler 2007). instances, no effect education, indicates equally supported low high (Gherghina Geissel Among educated, mediated apprehend limits protect minorities (Anderson Goodyear-Grant 2010). highlight univocal linear. respect, would interesting if interacts shaping For instance, control greater Mohrenberg 2019). Yet, above-mentioned population go than simply controlling One might, expect mediating differentiates less citizens. Another example feed into insights instrumental motivations (Werner Public only driven ideological (like attitudes). Attitudes desire call organization referendum. referendum when increases chances see most preferred policies adopted. Building findings, wonder whether really Otherwise, might feeling make easier push representative institutions. growing alternative help consolidate shown Western democracies prevail: technocrat governance (Bertsou Caramani 2020; Hibbing Theiss-Morse 2002), increase participation via instruments participatory (Bengtsson Christensen 2016; Gherghina 2017). Recently, Pilet (2020) showed perceived mutually exclusive. Rather, combine elements. demands twofold way. relates Some cite here extent. example, parallel deliberative assemblies. (2019) technocracy. step aim literature: Moreover, each process behaviors regard provide puzzling findings. Jacobs found likely vote held. Broadening study voting elections protesting, (almost) same team Dutch propensity negative protest (Zaslove already examined behaviours, however countries. (2017) find German democrats those oriented technocrats. Participatory democrats, contrast, latter group get involved processes. Looking Finnish citizens, Bengtsson (2016) elections. engaged institutional (i.e. voting, contacting politicians, member party) non-institutional petition, buycott, boycott, demonstrations), technocrat-oriented least politically active. examples show, forward its broadening been built so far. avoiding pitfalls “that remains too detached literatures” (Rooduijn 2019: 367). questions willingness frequent 2019; Rose 2020) like results weight binding 2018). Conceptually, “are centered, reduce power elite means keep corrupt check” 2018: 520); similar approach, (2007: problems. unclear extent become central nowhere explained adopt policies, e.g. American States (Morel Qvortrup 2017), prefer held occasionally, major decisions case popular dissent authorities. If applies, populists very stealth (Hibbing 2002) who policy-making still votes critical junctures elected politicians kept under control. procedures prevail over institutions not. Over decades, countries, element architecture instead replacing (Altman Setälä 2006). Elected governments parliaments play democracy: (and do) initiate object (e.g. abrogative recall elections) implement taken mind declare mean demand say decisions, subsequent actions, i.e. implementation (Budge 1996). nuanced discussed (2018) analyze supersedes representatives. exploring accept constitutional constraints expressed needs precisely coexist representatives processes (Allen Birch 2015). Here well, inspiration preferences. supporting assemblies advising favor bodies composed selected lot (Bedock As such, dig deeper articulation especially attitudes, view identify testing effects lies variables operationalized studies. argues consists left right sides equation. Many statements included index attitudes1 refer explicitly representation. oppose read follows: “The people, policy decisions”, “I represented citizen specialized politician” (Akkerman 2014; Geurkink Hawkins 2012), opinion ordinary worth experts politicians” (Elchardus Spruyt 2016) asked whenever taken” (Schulz four items belong all subject general below. deny appropriate capture components people-centrism anti-elitism. indeed true distinguish quite well non-populist becomes problematic explain reflection tautological essential features illustrated literature. Direct publicly recognized, institutionalized gives “decide emit issues legislative executive ballot box universal secret suffrage” 2011: 7). shows across give wide variety issues. importance proposals influence requires special consideration. Policy reach submitted legislature initiatives salient (Lupia Matsusaka 2004). salience demonstrated number signatures citizen-initiated decision elite-initiated. national-level Europe since 1793 vast majority related electoral interior economy, foreign affairs constitution-making (Silagadze aims empower officials policy-making. lose any role. setting up referendum, campaign vote. moment US, introduced end 19th century restrict parties legislation contemporary times, US non-political groups, social movements, submit without intervention state parliaments, controlled (Kriesi Bernhard 2011). general, bring ignored 2016 was Bulgaria topics harm parties: limitation funding parties, introduction compulsory change essence constrained. thoroughly essence. charge representation happens voice matters (as politicians). makes sense investigate papers acknowledge tautology. run robustness checks results, excluding sovereignty attitudes. opt tapping sovereignty. addressed upfront order clear avoid underline here. Reflection needed anti-elitism neutral weaknesses useful starting point few suggestions challenges outlined previous sections, advance agenda. To begin preference decision-makers other. proceed be, focus linked decision-making. democratic (see 2) hesitate decision-making: centered around governed led independent broad picture absent understand conceive vis-à-vis possibility (who govern) specific mechanisms mini-publics, technocratic governments, etc. direction forums. Such contribute enriching endorse. Populists ‘campaign modification procedures’ Kaltwasser 2017: 95), continues weakness looking assumption replaces practice often complements must explore arguments opposition efforts required explaining when, directed frequency, initiates it, Equally ask relative none, full). Politicians system Thirdly, avoided removing indicators. straightforward scales indicators tap close “people decide”; potential alternative, (2020). decompose separate propositions invitation discussion. immediate tests. Further scientific exchanges authors field (direct) open following before going surveys protocols. Finally, digging topic. There reasons mode decision-making, assess virtues vices comprehensive hand increasing knowledge general. Jean-Benoit Pilet’s involvement part project POLITICIZE-Cure Curse? received Council (ERC) Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation programme (grant agreement No 772695). thank Michael Scanlan anonymous reviewers journal thorough comments earlier drafts Sergiu Associate Professor Comparative Politics University Glasgow. His interests party politics, democratization, Email: [email protected] Political Science Université libre Bruxelles, Belgium. He elections, systems, Belgian politics innovations. [email protected] Data sharing applicable article data created analyzed study.