Citizens who have reached the appropriate age are invited to a ballot box at a certain time. They are required to express their own opinion on a particular issue. But voting is different. Let's see how the referendum differs from the election, so as never to be confused again, for what purpose a survey of citizens is conducted. This is important for all members of society with an active citizenship. After all, everyone has to face a dilemma: go to the ballot box or go about their business. What is the risk of a person who refuses in this or that situation? And this depends on the answer to the question of how the referendum differs from the election. Now you will understand everything yourself.
Definitions
To understand how a referendum differs from 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 the referendum. This is, in fact, a survey of citizens of a democratic state. People are asked to answer “yes” or “no” to a specific question. Sometimes you need to choose an option from more detailed offers. But all the same, the essence boils down to the fact that citizens express their will.
The same thing happens in the elections. The event looks very similar, but it has a different meaning. The electoral process has a different purpose. Citizens cast their vote for one of the candidates for the place of their representative in a particular body. For example, the legislation of the Russian Federation is being 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 course of the first, direct democracy is implemented , while the second is representative. Does it matter to the average citizen? Let's get it right.
How the referendum differs from the election: 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'll consider:
- Periodicity.
- The circle of questions.
- Goal setting.
- Result.
- Validity.
Having examined the first paragraph, we see that a referendum is held only in the event of an important issue that matters to the whole society. Elections are a regular event subject to applicable law. There are also differences on the second point. In elections, citizens give preference to parties or individuals, express confidence. During the referendum, people exercise the right to participate in the life of the country. For example, a plebiscite can make decisions on issues such as changing the constitution, refusing to use nuclear energy, and the like.
Goal Setting, Outcome, and Duration
Voting refers to methods of direct democracy. It provides an opportunity for citizens to express their opinion. But in the course of voting, the formation of representative bodies of power is taking place. The referendum resolves 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, people 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 it expires, the legitimacy of the mandate disappears and ends. But the decision of the popular will (referendum) is valid indefinitely. It is possible to cancel it only by organizing the same plebiscite.
Common features of events
We have briefly examined how the referendum differs from the election. However, processes have common characteristics. It should be said that each of the events can be organized within the entire state or a specific district. Both processes are strictly described in the legislation, which is unacceptable to violate during the process. In addition, citizens are required to come to the ballot box and determine their opinion. That is, both events are forms of manifestation of democracy. In addition, they are carried out by similar forms. Citizens receive information to form their opinions. Then they are given the opportunity to express it by voting. The last stage of the events is the determination of citizens' decisions.