Diritto Pubblico Comparato ed Europeo

Abstract

Following a Platonic way of reasoning (i.e. Dialogue), Luigi Volpe and Alessandro Torre invent a discussion between Montesquieu and Rousseau concerning the relationship between representative government and direct democracy underlining the positive aspects and the drawbacks of both. Forgotten in the 19th century – the era of representative government – direct democracy became important a century later (e.g. for framing of constitutions, declarations of independence, popular legislation and decisions on local issues) taking an important part (together with representative government) in constitutional development. Thus Montesquieu and Rousseau perceive the chance to come to an agreement after a centuries-old disagreement. This “Dialogue” is an original foreword to the set of essays concerning referendums and direct democracy contained herein.