¶¶ The method adopted to get approval of citizens on the law passed by the legislature is called plebiscite and the decision is taken by the people themselves.

Plebiscite

A plebiscite refers to a direct vote by the people of a country or region to decide on a specific issue or question. It is a form of direct democracy where the citizens have the opportunity to express their opinion and make decisions on important matters that affect their nation or region.

Introduction to Nation and Nationalism

Nation and nationalism are concepts that are closely related to the idea of identity, belonging, and loyalty to a particular group of people or a country. A nation is a community of people who share a common language, culture, history, and often territory. Nationalism, on the other hand, is the belief and ideology that promotes the interests and welfare of a nation.

What is Plebiscite?

A plebiscite is a democratic tool that allows the citizens of a nation or region to participate in decision-making processes. It provides an opportunity for the people to express their views and opinions on important matters that directly affect their lives and the future of their country. The plebiscite can be used to decide on issues such as constitutional amendments, territorial disputes, secession, or major policy changes.

Key Features of Plebiscite

- Direct Democracy: A plebiscite is a form of direct democracy where the people directly participate in decision-making without the involvement of elected representatives.

- Popular Opinion: The purpose of a plebiscite is to gauge the popular opinion of the citizens on a specific issue or question.

- Majority Rule: The outcome of a plebiscite is determined by the majority of votes cast by the citizens.

- Transparency and Accountability: A plebiscite ensures transparency and accountability in decision-making as the citizens have the opportunity to directly express their views.

- Legitimacy: A successful plebiscite provides legitimacy to the decision or outcome as it is based on the collective will of the people.

Examples of Plebiscite

- Scottish Independence Referendum: In 2014, the Scottish people participated in a plebiscite to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country or remain part of the United Kingdom.

- Brexit Referendum: In 2016, the United Kingdom held a plebiscite to determine whether the country should leave the European Union. The majority voted in favor of leaving, leading to the process of Brexit.

- Quebec Independence Referendum: In 1980 and 1995, the province of Quebec in Canada held two plebiscites to decide on its independence from Canada. The majority voted against secession, and Quebec remains part of Canada.

Conclusion

Plebiscites provide an avenue for citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes and have their voices heard. They contribute to the democratic principles of transparency, accountability, and popular sovereignty. However, it is important to ensure that plebiscites are conducted in a fair and inclusive manner to represent the diverse views and interests of the population.