Britain's decision to use a referendum to settle the question of its membership in the EU is often portrayed as a victory for democracy. The truth, however, is that bypassing elected representatives can cause deep and long-lasting polarization.
PRINCETON – Democracy everywhere is facing serious challenges. The United States is gripped by the most bizarre presidential primary campaign in living memory, with populist outsiders threatening to topple established party machines. Brazil is paralyzed by constitutional crisis. Europeans trace their malaise to a democratic deficit in the European Union. And, in the United Kingdom, the vision of recovered national sovereignty is fueling the campaign to leave the EU.
PRINCETON – Democracy everywhere is facing serious challenges. The United States is gripped by the most bizarre presidential primary campaign in living memory, with populist outsiders threatening to topple established party machines. Brazil is paralyzed by constitutional crisis. Europeans trace their malaise to a democratic deficit in the European Union. And, in the United Kingdom, the vision of recovered national sovereignty is fueling the campaign to leave the EU.