Comparative findings

Abstract

This chapter gives a summary of all initiative practices discussed in this book. The aim is to compare different forms and designs of initiative instruments, and to evaluate their functions and impacts in different political systems. The historical and political backgrounds of citizens’ initiatives are summarized, and the procedures of making popular initiatives are discussed on the basis of the distinction between full-scale initiatives and agenda initiatives. We summarize the empirical data on the frequency, the success and the impact of initiatives, and try to identify to what extent the design of initiative institutions determines the usage patterns. It will also be interesting to see how different initiative instruments interact whenever they co-exist, and how initiatives relate to other forms of direct democracy if they are available. We also summarize the political impact of initiatives in the political systems studied. Furthermore, the saliency of issues brought about by initiatives is discussed, as well as the influence of campaigns and debates on the public sphere, and the extent to which initiative instruments are used as agenda-setting and mobilizing tools by political parties. Finally, we address broader questions such as whether initiatives enhance more responsive politics by elites, and whether initiatives can live up to their assumed function of political articulation and innovation.