Nachhaltige und direkte Demokratie

The implementation of the principle of sustainable development in politics and legal acts is, at all levels, still insufficient. In this context, governmental institutions and proceedings play an essential role in alleviating this deficit of sustainability. This paper analyseswhether the introduction of direct democracy on theGerman federal level contributes to optimise the sustainability of the political system(more precisely: of the outcomes of the latter). Therefore, it examines the major theoretical arguments (“pros and cons”) and draws comparisons to the latest practical experiences (Switzerland, German federal states) with referenda. Finally, the paper asks which concrete instruments of direct democracy are (not) recommendable as a complement to the parliamentary democratic system in Germany.