Una mirada crítica a la democracia directa: el origen y las prácticas de los plebiscitos en Uruguay

Abstract

The main concern of this article is to analyze and contextualize the incorporation of the plebiscite into the constitution in Uruguay, the Latin American country that witnessed the earliest and most enthusiastic implementation and practice of this mechanism of direct democracy. The article also classifies the summonses to plebiscites between 1917 and 1971 and their relationship with the political parties. This analysis aims to contribute to the current discussion of the character assumed by the plebiscite within the framework of democratic regimes, and highlights the "negative" aspects that there might be in the practice of direct democracy.