What is the Meaning of: Plebiscite | Concept and Definition of: Plebiscite


Meanings, definitions, concepts of daily use

From the latin plebiscītum, a plebiscite is a resolution taken by a people from the plurality of votes. It is a consultation carried out by the public authorities so that the citizens can express themselves by direct popular vote on a given proposal.
The plebiscite, said referendum, is an election that was born by proposal of the constitutional representatives. It is usually created from the formula "Yes or no", where those who vote must respond to the question posed by an electoral entity.
For example: a mining company provides millions of dollars to a small village to operate new mines. Although the money turns out to be very useful for the local economy, the inhabitants are aware of the environmental risks of the proposal. The authorities therefore decided to carry out a plebiscite so the people advising and decides if mining is positive or if it is not.
In other words, the plebiscite is a mechanism of semi-direct democracy. Currently, it is used to complement the system of representative democracy. The rulers elected by society, in this case, are obliged to consult the people to decide on a subject that they consider sensitive to social life.
We will retain that plebiscites can be binding (the result of the vote is a measure to be necessarily respected) or advisory (the result is only as a method of consultation for executives responsible for deciding on the target subject).
In the case of our example, if the plebiscite ends with a triumphant 'no', there are two possibilities: if it were a binding consultation, mining will therefore not take place. On the other hand, if the consultation was advisory, it is quite possible that political power be able to approve operation.
Note: This translation is provided for educational purposes and may contain errors or be inaccurate.