People as the holder and performer of sovereignty: Reanimation of direct democracy
Narod kao nosilac i vršilac suverenosti - reanimacija neposredne demokratije
Abstract
The authors examine possibility of direct democracy revival in contemporary environment. Based upon thought that performance of sovereign power should not be placed too far from the people as the real holder of sovereignty, they foster idea of a wider use of institutions typical for direct democracy. They suggest that it might be the first step towards revitalization of ancient Athenian type of democracy in new circumstances. Along with the fast technological development and expansion of new information technologies, technical limitations are not a vast obstacle anymore in establishing something what could be qualified as an 'electronic agora'. Electronic popular initiatives and electronic referendums could be become quick, efficient and inexpensive modes in acquiring social consensus upon the most important legal and political issues. The authors hold that a kind of Rousseau’s social contract could have a chance to be realized in a cyber space, through a kind of cyber ecclesia.
Autori u radu razmatraju mogućnost ponovnog oživljavanja neposredne demokratije u savremenim uslovima. Polazeći od ideje da se vršenje suverene vlasti ne sme suviše udaljiti od naroda kao stvarnog nosioca suverenosti, autori se zalažu za širu upotrebu institucija neposredne demokratije, što bi moglo predstavljati samo prvi korak ka revitalizaciji neposredne antičke demokratije atinskog tipa, ali u drugačijim okolnostima. Uz ubrzani tehnološki razvoj i napredovanje informacionih tehnologija, tehnička ograničenja ne predstavljaju više veliku prepreku uspostavljanju onoga što se može nazvati 'elektronska agora'. Elektronske narodne inicijative i elektronski referendumi bi mogli postati brz, efikasan i jeftin način postizanja društvenog konsensusa oko najvažnijih pravnih i politički pitanja. Autori stoje na stanovištu da bi jedan oblik Rusoovog društvenog ugovora danas možda mogao zaživeti u sajber prostoru, u nekoj vrsti sajber eklezije.
Keywords:
popular sovereignty / direct democracy / electronic democracy / popular initiative / referendum / narodna suverenost / neposredna demokratija / elektronska demokratija / narodna inicijativa / referendumSource:
Srpska politička misao, 2012, 4, 213-231Publisher:
- Institut za političke studije, Beograd
Funding / projects:
- Development of Institutional Capacities, Standards and Procedures for Fighting Organized Crime and Terrorism in Climate of International Integrations (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-179045)