The case for supermajority requirements in referendums
Journal: International Journal of Constitutional Law
Year: 2023

Abstract Referendums appear to be the most majoritarian of democratic processes. The simplicity and equality they offer through voting look like the essence of majoritarianism. Indeed, this simplicity and equality are often argued to be central to referendums’ appeal. This article argues that this appearance of majoritarianism is misleading. Paradoxically, without supermajority requirements, binding referendums on constitutional issues cannot offer the simplicity and equality majoritarianism req