Folksuveränitet och parlamentets suveränitet i tidigare brittiska kolonier: Kartläggning och reflexioner

Abstract

Popular sovereignty and parliamentary sovereignty in former british colonies

The doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty is a center-piece of the Westminster system. However, the doctrine stands challenged by several institutional arrangements, among which are direct democracy applications. Taking a point of departure in this incompatibility of parliamentary and popular sovereignty, this study investigates to what extent former British colonies have really, by relinquishing the popular vote, internalized the metropolitan Westminster doctrine. Drawing on several pieces of research and data collections, the study shows that the referendum institute has indeed come to little use in the former colonies, the average number for a time period running from independence through 2010 being one referendum per country, and New Zealand standing among 54 cases out as the only former colony that has repeatedly applied the institute. Interestingly, an increase in the use of the popular vote in the former colonies is discernible during recent years, coincident with signs of erosion of the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty in the metropolitan power herself.