Direct Democracy in the Americas: Social Accountability or Political Instruments of Governments?
Keywords:
direct democracy, referendum, plebiscite, popular initiative, social accountabilityAbstract
This article analyzes whether mechanisms of direct democracy initiated by the executivebranch of government in the Americas independently of the subject in questiontend to systematically favor the government; or, if citizens take it as an opportunity to casta vote of censorship on the government. Neither alternative is supported by the evidence.Available data suggest that the more democratic a regime is, the weaker is the support tothe option backed by the government. In addition, executives obtain greater endorsementfor their proposals if inflation is greater and if electoral participation is smaller. Nonetheless,if we consider only unquestionably democratic regimes, participation plays in favorof the government.
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