A plebiscite is a popular vote on a proposal that includes the entire population. It allows citizens to decide on an important issue, and the outcome of the vote is like a decree of the citizens. Both democracies and dictatorships use plebiscites for different purposes. In a democracy, it allows legislators and citizens to submit laws directly to citizens for scrutiny. In a dictatorship, it is often used to support a government. The term is also used in the context of major national political decisions.
A plebiscite is a popular vote on a proposal that includes the entire population. Voters are asked to reject or accept the proposal, with the outcome of the plebiscite determining the fate of the proposed measure, action, constitution, or other policy proposal. A plebiscite should not be confused with a general election or regular vote, as no party candidates are included in it.
The word comes from the Latin plebis, “the people” and scitum, “decree”. With a plebiscite, the people can decide on an important issue and the outcome of the vote is like a decree of the citizens. Both democracies and dictatorships use plebiscites, albeit for very different purposes. In either case, the vote cannot truly be called a plebiscite unless everyone entitled to it can participate.
In a democracy, a plebiscite performs a valuable function. It allows legislators and citizens to submit laws directly to citizens for scrutiny. In the United States, for example, many proposals on a ballot actually come from members of the population who have lobbied for their inclusion and have acquired the adequate number of signatures to sponsor the proposal. The issue that is the subject of a plebiscite can vary widely, from a measure proposing additional taxation to a resolution censuring the government.
In a dictatorship, a plebiscite is often used to support a government. A plebiscite offers no alternatives, forcing voters to give a yes or no answer. This isn’t always a bad thing, especially when the proposal is clear-cut, but it can be used to skew election results. The proposal may be worded in such a way that citizens feel compelled to vote one way or another, or voters may be intimidated into making a particular choice. The government uses the results of the plebiscite to suggest that the country’s citizens are satisfied with their current political situation.
The term is also used in the context of major national political decisions, such as those involving a change of government, the ceding of territory to another nation, or an offer of independence from a colonial power. This type of plebiscite can sometimes represent the first time citizens have been asked to contribute their personal opinions to government decisions, and can be a way to involve citizens in the administration of their own nations. However, colonial powers have been known to use plebiscites to cement their authority, just as dictatorships do. If the results of such a plebiscite seem unusual, people concerned about freedoms might consider perusing the proposed measure or checking out tactics like voter intimidation and ballot stuffing.
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