We raise political literacy: how does the referendum differ from the elections?

Citizens who have reached the corresponding age are invited at certain times to the ballot box. They are required to express their own opinion on this or that question. But the voting is different. Let's figure out how the referendum differs from the election, so that you never get confused again, for what purpose is a survey of citizens. This is important for all members of society who have an active civil position. After all, everyone has to face a dilemma: go to the urn or do their own thing. What is the risk of the person who refused to do this and that situation? And this depends on the answer to the question, how does the referendum differ from the elections. Now you will understand everything.

Definitions

To understand how a referendum differs from elections, 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, in fact, a survey of citizens of a democratic state. People are asked to answer "yes" or "no" to a specific question. Sometimes it is necessary to choose a variant from more detailed proposals. But all the same, the essence boils down to the fact that citizens express their will.

The same thing happens in elections. The event looks very similar, but its meaning is different. The electoral process has a different purpose. Citizens cast their vote for one of the candidates for the place of their representative in a certain 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 solved in different ways. In the case of a referendum - directly, in the election - indirectly. This is the answer to our question. The referendum differs from direct elections by the fact that in the course of the first one a direct democracy is carried out , the second is representative democracy . Does this matter for an ordinary citizen? Let's understand.

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

Each of the events under consideration has its own characteristic features. They explain why the referendum is different from the elections. Briefly describe them you can by the following scheme. We'll consider:

1. Periodicity.
2. The circle of questions.
3. Purposefulness.
4. Result.
5. Validity.

Having considered the first point, we will see that a referendum is held only in the event of an important issue of importance to the whole society. Elections - this is a regular event, due to the current legislation. On the second point, too, there are differences. In elections, citizens give their preference to parties or individuals, express their confidence. In the course of the referendum, people exercise the right to participate in the life of the country. For example, a plebiscite can make decisions on such issues as changing the constitution, refusing to use nuclear energy, and the like.

Purpose, result and duration of action

Voting refers to the methods of direct democracy. It enables citizens to express their opinion. But in the course of voting, the formation of representative bodies of power is under way. The referendum also solves more important issues that can not be entrusted to the deputies. It turns out that the latter, from the point of view of power, is more important. Its results are of supreme power. The referendum gives legitimacy to the decision on the contour question. Unlike him, the elections only confirm the mandate. By the way, the people to whom the people have entrusted the power, have access to it for a certain time. Usually it is described in the constitution or other laws of the country. Upon its expiration, the legitimacy of the mandate disappears, ends. But the decision of the people's will (referendum) is valid for an unlimited period. It can be canceled only by organizing the same plebiscite.

Common features of events

We briefly examined the difference between the referendum and the elections. However, processes have common characteristics. It should be said that each of the events can be organized within the whole state or a certain district. Both processes are strictly described in the legislation, which is unacceptable during the conduct. In addition, citizens are required to come to the urn and determine their own 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 final stage of the activities is the determination of the citizens' decision.