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Wirtschaftliche Auswirkungen der direkten Demokratie

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  • Gebhard Kirchgässner

Abstract

First the transmission of information in direct and representative democracies is investigated. Because there is more supply and demand of information, citizens are better informed in direct democracies than in purely representative systems. Then, a survey is given about empirical studies of the economic consequences of direct democracy which show that these consequences are mostly positive. Finally we discuss some of the arguments which are often raised in Germany against the introduction of direct democratic rights on the federal level, especially the reference to ‘bad experiences’ in the Weimar republic. It is shown that these arguments are not valid.

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  • Gebhard Kirchgässner, 2000. "Wirtschaftliche Auswirkungen der direkten Demokratie," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 1(2), pages 161-180, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:perwir:v:1:y:2000:i:2:p:161-180
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-2516.00010
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    Cited by:

    1. Justina A.V. Fischer, 2005. "Do Institutions of Direct Democracy Tame the Leviathan? Swiss Evidence on the Structure of Expenditure for Public Education," CESifo Working Paper Series 1628, CESifo.
    2. Berthold, Norbert & Koch, Daniel, 2007. "Von der (Un-)Möglichkeit ausgeglichener Haushalte," Discussion Paper Series 97, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Chair of Economic Order and Social Policy.
    3. Fischer, Justina AV, 2009. "Development of Direct Democracy in Swiss Cantons between 1997 and 2003," MPRA Paper 16140, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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