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B019148 - DEMOCRACIES, REFERENDUMS, PLEBISCITES AND CITIZENS' INITIATIVES
Main information
Teaching Language
Course Content
Suggested readings
Learning Objectives
Teaching Methods
Type of Assessment
Course program
Academic Year 2014-15
Course year
First year - Second Semester
Belonging Department
Political and Social Sciences (DSPS)
Course Type
Single education field course
Scientific Area
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE
Credits
9
Teaching Hours
68
Teaching Term
02/03/2015 ⇒ 29/05/2015
Attendance required
No
Type of Evaluation
Final Grade
Course Content
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Course program
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Lectureship
Teaching Language
Italian
Course Content
Origins and processes of referendum institutionalization within democracies, particularly in USA, France, Switzerland and Italy.
A short account of: (a) referendum experiences in European democracies; (b) referendums on European Union; (c) sovereignty referendums.
A short account of: (a) referendum experiences in European democracies; (b) referendums on European Union; (c) sovereignty referendums.
Suggested readings (Search our library's catalogue)
Exam with 6 CFU:
1) D. Butler – A. Ranney, Referendums Around the World;
2) M. Gallagher – P.V. Uleri, The Referendum Experience in Europe;
Exam with 9 CFU:
1) D. Butler – A. Ranney, Referendums Around the World;
2) M. Gallagher – P.V. Uleri, The Referendum Experience in Europe;
3) M. Setälä – T. Schiller, Citizens’ Initiatives in Europe. Procedures and Consequences of Agenda-Setting by Citizens.
1) D. Butler – A. Ranney, Referendums Around the World;
2) M. Gallagher – P.V. Uleri, The Referendum Experience in Europe;
Exam with 9 CFU:
1) D. Butler – A. Ranney, Referendums Around the World;
2) M. Gallagher – P.V. Uleri, The Referendum Experience in Europe;
3) M. Setälä – T. Schiller, Citizens’ Initiatives in Europe. Procedures and Consequences of Agenda-Setting by Citizens.
Learning Objectives
Comparative study of referendum-type institutions and relevant political processes within representative democracies.
The analysis of political participation and decision processes implemented through the main types of referendum institutes.
Critical assessment of the role that different referendum institutes play within representative democracies.
The analysis of political participation and decision processes implemented through the main types of referendum institutes.
Critical assessment of the role that different referendum institutes play within representative democracies.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and seminars
Type of Assessment
Written exam:
6 CFU: four open questions; two hours.
9 CFU: six open questions; three hours.
6 CFU: four open questions; two hours.
9 CFU: six open questions; three hours.
Course program
Representative democracy and referenda.
Origins and processes of referendum institutionalization within democracies.
Initiatives and referendums: classifications and typology.
Comparing referendum institutions and relevant political processes.
Weak and strong processes of referendum institutionalisation.
The French, Swiss and American (Usa) experiences.
Europeandemocracies and referendum institutes.
Referendum cotes concerning European Union.
Democracy, parties and referendum institutions in the Italian political
system. The institutional referendum and the referendum institutes in
the republican Constitution – The law implementing the referendum
institutes – The “referendum party” and the referendums of parties.
Crisis and reform of referendum institutes?
Parties, elections, initiatives and referendums in the last 25 years in Switzerland: crisis of a “magnificent democracy”?
Origins and processes of referendum institutionalization within democracies.
Initiatives and referendums: classifications and typology.
Comparing referendum institutions and relevant political processes.
Weak and strong processes of referendum institutionalisation.
The French, Swiss and American (Usa) experiences.
Europeandemocracies and referendum institutes.
Referendum cotes concerning European Union.
Democracy, parties and referendum institutions in the Italian political
system. The institutional referendum and the referendum institutes in
the republican Constitution – The law implementing the referendum
institutes – The “referendum party” and the referendums of parties.
Crisis and reform of referendum institutes?
Parties, elections, initiatives and referendums in the last 25 years in Switzerland: crisis of a “magnificent democracy”?