Political Sociology of Direct Democracy

Portrait

In this research area we investigate political and societal consequences of direct democratic institutions. In particular, we submit arguments and evidence about supposedly positive „Educative Effects“ from the context of the USA to empirical scrutiny in Switzerland and test whether direct democracy does indeed enhance political and societal behavior of citizens. Such analyses are based on a thorough elaboration of the institutions of direct democracy in the Swiss cantons and communities.

Lead: Prof. Dr. Markus Freitag

Dissertations completed

Matthias Fatke: Direct Democracy and Political Behavior and Attitudes in the Swiss cantons

Recent Publications

  • Fatke, Matthias und Paul Bauer (i.E.): Direct democracy and political trust: Enhancing trust, initiating distrust–or both?, in: Swiss Political Science Review.

  • Fatke, Matthias und Markus Freitag (2013): Direct Democracy: Protest Catalyst or Protest Alternative?, in: Political Behavior, 35(2): 237-260.

  • Fatke, Matthias and Markus Freitag (2013): Zuhause statt Oben bleiben. Stuttgart 21 und die direkte Demokratie in Baden-Württemberg, in: Eith, Ulrich, Uwe Wagschal and Michael Wehner (Hrsg.): Machtwechsel oder Politikwechsel. Eine Bilanz der Landtagswahl 2011 in Baden-Württemberg, Baden-Baden: Nomos, 207-228.

  • Fatke, Matthias and Markus Freitag (2012): Die direkte Demokratie in Baden-Württemberg und Stuttgart 21, in: Der Bürger im Staat, 2/2012: 174-181.