Референдум як форма прямої демократії: зарубіжний і вітчизняний досвід

Abstract

Розглядаються сутність і види інституту референдуму, його використання у США, Швейцарії, Франції та інших демократичних країнах, а також у сучасній Україні. The article dwells upon the nature and kinds of referendums and their conduct in the USA, Switzerland, France, other democratic states and also in modern Ukraine. In the scientific literature, the term «referendum» (from Latin referendum – something to be proclaimed) is understood as a way of the adoption of laws or decision-making concerning the main issues of social life through the direct expression of the citizens’ will in the national popular vote. The author defines the difference between a referendum and elections that lies in the object of the will expression which is represented by bills, domestic and foreign policy issues of the state, etc. Particular attention is paid to the fact that in democratic states referendums are considered to be the basis of the political system and one of the main forms of the popular sovereignty realisation. Modern democratic states use the following kinds of referendums: advisory referendums, binding referendums, non-binding referendums and referendumpetitions. Ukrainian researchers distinguish two types of referendums: imperative and consultative. Decisions of the first type referendums possess more legal power in comparison with other laws and regulations of the public and local authorities. Referendum decisions of the second type are advisory and they are taken into account while making decisions by the relevant state bodies. Referendums in Ukraine are held in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine. Among the subjects of the Ukrainian nationwide referendums the authors name the ratification of the Constitution of Ukraine, its provisions or amendments, the adoption, amendment or repeal of the laws of Ukraine or their provisions, decision-making which determines the main contents of the Constitution of Ukraine, laws and other legal acts.