Issue ? 35. December 2012

Direct Democracy as a Form of Local Self-governance: Theoretical Questions

Graduate student, School of Public Administration, Lomonosov Moscow State University.
E-mail: olegis@yandex.ru

The article examines the theoretical aspects of implementation of direct democracy at the local level. In author’s opinion, this depends on the extent to which the local self-government is developed and guaranteed as a whole and the extent of forming a relationship system connected with the establishment of local self-government as a decentralized form of governance in the interests of inhabitants of relevant territories. According to the author, decentralization of state power is an important part of establishing and functioning of a democratic state. In this regard, local self-governance performs two important functions. Firstly, it allows optimizing public administration resources as it transfers the authority to deal with the issues of social development from the center to the local level, hence serving the population’s interests. Secondly, local self-government provides opportunities for the use of political rights and freedoms by citizens. The local level of public administration is more available, understandable and approachable to the population. Therefore, applying the institutes of direct democracy helps to overcome alienation of citizens from the authorities.

Keywords

Constitution, institutes of democracy, municipal elections, local government, direct democracy, referendum.