referendum etymology

Etymology:

  • From French référendum
  • From Latin referendus, the gerundive form of referre ("to carry back, report")
  • From re- ("back") + ferre ("to carry")

Meaning and Origin:

A referendum is a vote in which the electorate is asked to approve or reject a particular law or proposal.

The term originated in the Roman Republic, where the popular assembly (Comitia) could vote on laws proposed by the Senate. After a law was proposed, it was referred back to the Senate for final approval, a process known as referendum ad senatum ("referring back to the Senate").

In modern democracies, referendums are used to give citizens a direct say in government decisions. They can be:

  • Binding: The results are legally binding on the government.
  • Consultative: The results provide guidance to the government but are not legally binding.

Referendums are often used to approve constitutional amendments, tax increases, or other significant policy changes. They can also be used to gauge public opinion on a particular issue.

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