Referendums are emotional dustbins

In the wake of the Swiss vote against the construction of new minarets the daily Le Temps questions the validity of referendums as an instrument of direct democracy: "How is it that the great virtue of Swiss democracy - political rule through frequent plebiscites - has been abused by the base desires of solitary individuals? It became clear in Switzerland last Sunday that intelligent people have lost control and demagogues have won the day. Direct democracy has always been meant as a civic counterbalance to the official power transferred to the country's representatives and the state. But it was never meant to become a dustbin for emotions where the first person with a little money, cunning and a knack for persuasion can rouse the people to place fetters on themselves."

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