Folkomröstningar : En förstärkning eller försvagning av demokratin?

Sammanfattning: This study is testing referendums and how democratic they are by studying the pros and cons. To help analysing my pros and cons I am doing a case study on the referendum in Catalonia 2017. The reason why I decided on this case is because it is the second time in a three years that the region is holding a referendum on independence, and to say the result has not been controversial would be equally controversial. To answer my questions What are the pros and cons with referendums? and In which ways are these visible in the referendum in Catalonia 2017? I have done a quick study on democratic theory and the possible ways of participation, the focus being on participatory democracy, in particular referendums. Referendums are a great way of letting the public decide on matters that will affect them. However the public’s lack of knowledge on politics and democracy may effect their ability to make wise decisions. For them to make the wisest decision it is necessary that the politicians educate the public on the alternatives and their consequences. There is no way of saying that a referendum is or isn’t democratic, it all depends on how it is executed.