Direct and deliberative democracy

The chapter introduces the forms of direct democracy and deliberative democracy that have been implemented and developed in Ireland. An overview of these two strands of democracy is provided, as well as arguments for and against their use. The Irish referendum experience is considered, with discussion of the campaign environment, voting behaviour and the political consequences of increasing referendum use since the closing decades of the twentieth century. The adoption of deliberative democratic tools in the early twenty-first century is evaluated with particular emphasis on the integration of citizens’ assemblies into the referendum process. The chapter concludes with an assessment of how direct democracy and deliberative democracy are shaping the wider experience of politics.