Politics & Government
How Referendums Can Undermine Representative Democracy Through Direct Overrides
Quick fact
In the U.S., no federal election or referendum can override the U.S. Constitution; even citizens' initiatives can only act within its bounds. Yet, in some U.S. states, simple majority votes have overridden state constitutional protections, leading to long-lasting and often regretted policy changes.
Why this is interesting
You would think letting the people vote directly on laws is the most democratic thing possible—so why do some of the world's best democracies limit it?