Direct constitutional democracy: Comment on “Proposals for a Democracy of the Future” by Bruno Frey

Bruno Frey’s effort to provoke a discussion on the future of democracy seems as timely as his focus on direct democracy is appropriate. Since in his account the necessity of protecting individuals against democratic collective powers seems somewhat neglected this comment emphasizes that the democratic theory of the Calculus of Consent is—in a way—all about the justificatory logic of such protections. In the same vein, referenda are endorsed as strengthening and initiatives rejected as weakening controls imposed on democratic powers in a constitutional democracy.