ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the contemporary populists' criticisms of representative democracy and the various prescriptions they offer, from ambitious and comprehensive new forms of direct democracy to streamlined and modified constitutional arrangements to more modest plans to use plebiscites to implement specific reforms. It examines five of the most contentious questions that arise in the debate between advocates of direct and representative democracy. Are voters informed enough for direct democracy; which is more special interest-driven, direct or representative decision-making; and what level of scrutiny should plebiscites be given by the courts as compared to laws made by representative institutions are the most contentious questions. Other questions are does direct democracy threatens the rights of vulnerable minorities more than representative democracy; and which contributes more to responsible governance, direct or representative democracy. The chapter discusses the views of populists on the left and populists of the right and center in the context of representative government.
