Increasing political literacy: what is the difference between a referendum and an election?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

Citizens who have reached the appropriate age are invited to the ballot boxes at a certain time. They are required to express their own opinion on a particular issue. But voting is different. Let's see how a referendum differs from an election, so that we never again get confused about the purpose of a poll of citizens. This is important for all members of society who have an active citizenship. After all, everyone has to face a dilemma: go to the urn or mind your own business. What is the risk of refusing in this and that situation? And it depends on the answer to the question, what is the difference between a referendum and elections. Now you will understand everything yourself.

Definitions

To understand the difference between a referendum and an election, it is necessary to characterize both events. In the process of studying them, we will find out and compare the main features.

Let's start with a referendum. This is essentially a public opinion poll.democratic state. People are asked to answer "yes" or "no" to a specific question. Sometimes it is necessary to choose an option from more detailed offers. But still, the essence is that citizens express their will.

The same thing happens in elections. The event looks very similar, but it has a different meaning. The electoral process has a different goal. Citizens cast their vote for one of the candidates for the position of their representative in a particular body. For example, the legislation of the Russian Federation is developed by the State Duma. Each subject of the federation nominates its representatives to this body so that these people lobby their interests.

It turns out that important issues for citizens are resolved in different ways. In the case of a referendum - directly, in elections - indirectly. This is the answer to our question. A referendum differs from direct elections in that during the first, direct democracy is carried out, while the second is representative. Does it matter to the average citizen? Let's figure it out.

What is the difference between a referendum and elections: the main differences

Each of the events under consideration has its own characteristic features. They explain how a referendum differs from an election. They can be briefly described as follows. We will consider:

1. Periodicity.
2. Circle of questions.
3. Goal setting.
4. Result.
5. Validity period.

After considering the first paragraph, we will see that a referendum is held only ifthe emergence of an important issue of importance to the whole society. Elections are a regular event, subject to the current legislation. On the second point, there are also differences. In elections, citizens give their preference to parties or individuals, express their confidence. During the referendum, people realize the right to participate in the life of the country. For example, a plebiscite can decide on issues such as changing the constitution, refusing to use nuclear energy, and the like.

Goal setting, result and timeline

Voting refers to methods of direct democracy. It gives citizens the opportunity to express their opinion. But in the course of voting, representative bodies of power are being formed. The referendum decides more important issues that cannot be entrusted to deputies. It turns out that the latter, from the point of view of power, is more important. His results are supreme. The referendum gives legitimacy to the decision on the contour issue. In contrast, elections only confirm the mandate. By the way, persons to whom the people have entrusted power have access to it for a certain time. This is usually described in the constitution or other laws of the country. After its expiration, the legitimacy of the mandate disappears, ends. But the decision of the people's will (referendum) is valid indefinitely. It can be canceled only by organizing the same plebiscite.

Common features of events

We are shortConsider the difference between a referendum and an election. However, the processes also have common characteristics. It should be said that each of the events can be organized within the entire state or a certain district. Both processes are strictly described in the legislation, which is unacceptable to violate during the course. In addition, citizens are required to come to the ballot box and decide on their opinion. That is, both events are forms of manifestation of democracy. In addition, they are carried out in similar forms. Citizens receive information to form their opinion. Then they are given the opportunity to express it by voting. The last stage of activities is the determination of the citizens' decision.