Enhancing civic engagement : the use of direct democracy instruments in Malta and relevant countries

Abstract

Amidst a period of perceived political corruption and scandals and the worst global financial crisis the world has seen since the Great Depression of the 1930`s, citizens took to the streets to protest against austerity measures and financial mismanagement but also against the unaccountability and the sleaze of some of their political representatives. Advocates of direct democracy engaged in the democratic reform process have been calling for further civic engagement and new ways to increase the citizen’s influence in the agenda-setting, the law making and the policy making process. The instruments of direct democracy, namely, the initiative, referendum and recall, have become an integral part of American democracy and are now flourishing outside the United States as well. In Western Europe, a number of countries allow initiatives, most countries use referenda and some others have already legislated or are in the process of legislating to introduce the power of recall. These developments can be observed at the national, regional, and local level of political systems. Which model of direct democracy best serves a small nation state such as Malta? This is the fundamental question that echoes throughout this thesis. Answers and explanations are presented in the respective chapters.