English Information
About us
Mehr Demokratie is the driving force for referenda and a better electoral law. Every vote counts equally and everybody has the right to participate. Citizens, committed to change, founded Mehr Demokratie in 1988.
Through different initiatives and activities, we promote direct democracy in Germany and Europe. We perform lobbying on federal and state level and inform the media on matters relating to democracy. Further, we advise citizens' initiatives and consult administrations and policy-makers. In addition, we conduct research concerning the practical implications of referenda and electoral law.
Mehr Demokratie is a nonprofit organization, working above political party lines. Referenda and electoral law have no political affiliation; instead democracy affects everyone.
Our goals
Democracy can never arrive at its final stage. Rather, the system develops in line with the surrounding society, evolving from time to time. New challenges demand new democratic responses. In order to cope with those challenges, Mehr Demokratie advocates referenda and fair elections.
We plead for the implementation of refernda at federal level. Referenda are already used on state as well as on communal level, but this democratic tool has not been adopted on federal level. Yet, citizens endorse the implementation more and more.
In the federal states, we aim for citizen-friendly rules allowing for a direct democracy. The right to hold referenda is ineffectual, if obstacles hinder the initiation of a referendum. A poorly-designed process delivers unsatisfying results, damaging democracy.
Referenda are no ends in themselves. This tool has many positive effects on society and the democratic system. Referenda allow for wide-ranging public discussions, educating citizens. If citizens can co-decide, financial resources are used more wisely. Furthermore, organizing a petition engages numbers of people; many are likely to further participate in the political arena. An increased political participation creates more diversity. In the end, political decisions are more widely accepted as the people collectively decide.
In order for elections to mirror the voters' intent, the voting procedure has to be sound. It is not sufficient, if a voter consents to a party's agenda, but does not agree with the politician, who has yet to implement the agenda. Thus, we want the citizens to have greater influence on the personal setup of parliaments and councils. Furthermore, foreigners should as well enjoy the right to vote.
Our aim is that citizens can take political decisions into their own hands. To quote Johann Wolfgang Goethe in this regard: “Which is the best government? The one teaching us to govern ourselves!”
Mehr Demokratie supports "Democracy International" as international organization on worldwide democracy more...
News
22. Februar 2012
Future of Referendums in Bulgaria to be Decided in Court Case
The Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria is to decide soon on the outcome of a local referendum announced invalid by the election authorities late[weiter...]
17. Januar 2012
From Crisis to Direct Democracy? - The Case of Iceland
"Let the banks fail." This is a conclusion one might have looking at the development in Iceland. But does a closer look change this impression? Read t[weiter...]
02. Dezember 2011
Statute online
Since 2002 people from all over the world work together to promote the idea of more direct democracy and citizens' participation. In 2011 we decided t[weiter...]
