This paper reflects on the relationship between direct democracy and the environment by illustrating the case of 3 referendums called in Italy in 2011 that rejected government's proposed policies on production of nuclear power and privatization of local water supply systems. Drawing from this case, the paper discusses the role of grass-roots movements in promoting direct democracy initiatives with a focus on the "Italian Forum for Public Water". The argument put forward is that the referendums' results are only partially explained by the contingent political Italian context but shall be rather framed in the critical discourse to the dominant neoliberal socio-economic model. The conclusion is that in this fluid context, direct democracy tools can play a significant role in producing key changes in policies both at national and local level.
Challenging dominant environmental political discourse through direct democracy initiatives. The case of Italy's referendums on public water and nuclear energy / Rega, Carlo. - In: UVP-REPORT. - ISSN 0933-0690. - STAMPA. - 26:5(2012), pp. 211-216.
Challenging dominant environmental political discourse through direct democracy initiatives. The case of Italy's referendums on public water and nuclear energy
REGA, CARLO
2012
Abstract
This paper reflects on the relationship between direct democracy and the environment by illustrating the case of 3 referendums called in Italy in 2011 that rejected government's proposed policies on production of nuclear power and privatization of local water supply systems. Drawing from this case, the paper discusses the role of grass-roots movements in promoting direct democracy initiatives with a focus on the "Italian Forum for Public Water". The argument put forward is that the referendums' results are only partially explained by the contingent political Italian context but shall be rather framed in the critical discourse to the dominant neoliberal socio-economic model. The conclusion is that in this fluid context, direct democracy tools can play a significant role in producing key changes in policies both at national and local level.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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https://hdl.handle.net/11583/2506043
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