Rediscovering Europe in the Netherlands - St Antony's College ...

ediscovering europe in the netherlands
that the substantive scope for choice is already seriously limited, does not
offer that clarity, and is therefore unsuitable for many decisions and policy
proposals.
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A referendum that offers citizens a number of substantive alternatives,
known as a preferendum, is in many ways a more attractive alternative.
Firstly, this choice would provide a real opportunity for citizens to influence
policy, without it having to take the form of a definitive rejection by the voters.
Moreover, it would encourage citizens to become more actively
involved in the issue and would make palpably clear which consequences
politicians would have to attach to the outcome. This could be reinforced by
organising a preferendum at an early stage in the decision making process.
The result of the preferendum could then provide a negotiating mandate
for the government in Brussels. After completion of the decision making
process, Parliament, using the regular mechanisms of ministerial accountability,
could verify that the government has stuck to its mandate. At the
same time, the influence that citizens will have on the decision making
process is guaranteed to be more effective, as their views need not be
reduced to a single ‘yes/no’ vote. Politicians must formulate the different
substantive alternatives, assessing their feasibility, and above all in adopting
clear positions on the issue concerned. However, citizen forums (which are
discussed below) may also be helpful in formulating policy alternatives.
Not only national, but also eu-wide preferenda deserve serious attention.
The latter type of preferenda could circumvent a number of the disadvantages
of existing national preferenda. Firstly, member states would no
longer risk becoming isolated as a result of being the lone state to either
adopt or reject a certain decision. Similarly, decision making at the European
level would no longer have to be frustrated by just one or two countries.
Moreover, and to a much greater extent than national preferenda,
eu-preferenda could open the way to eu-wide identification processes and
the creation of a European public space. One disadvantage, however, might
be that a majority in a single member state could easily be outvoted,
though this could be accommodated by requiring not only an absolute
majority of eu voters, but also absolute majorities in a given minimum
number of eu countries. Another potential disadvantage may be that it
might become easier for national politicians to avoid adopting positions
and pursuing an active campaign, and leaving this to European and foreign
politicians. This would be highly undesirable as the involvement of
national politicians is indispensable for the legitimacy of eu policy.
Referenda provide citizens with a direct voice in fundamental policy
choices. They force national politicians to adopt clear positions and debate