REFERENDA Meaning and
Definition
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Referenda is the plural form of referendum, a term derived from the Latin word "referre," meaning to bring back or to consult. It is a noun referring to a voting procedure in which the electorate is asked to express their opinion or decision on a specific political question or issue. A referendum serves as a direct method of democracy, wherein citizens are directly involved in decision-making processes.
Referenda are typically initiated by a governing body, such as a national government, regional authorities, or local municipalities. These authorities present a particular issue to the public, who are then given the opportunity to cast their vote and determine the desired course of action. The topics of referenda can vary widely, ranging from constitutional changes, treaties, or territorial disputes to controversial social issues or major policy decisions.
The purpose of a referendum is to gauge public sentiment, collect popular opinion, and validate the legitimacy of a proposed action. Referenda provide an opportunity for citizens to participate actively in shaping their society and voicing their preferences. The manner in which the outcome is determined can vary; it could be through majority rule, supermajorities, or other specified requirements. The results of a referendum can lead to a binding decision that authorities must follow, or they may serve as a non-binding indicator of public opinion that influences subsequent decision-making processes.
In summary, referenda are democratic mechanisms that enable citizens to participate directly in decision-making by casting their vote on specific political issues or questions.
Etymology of REFERENDA
The word "referenda" is the plural form of the Latin word "referendum". It is derived from the Latin verb "referre", which means "to bring back" or "to carry back". In Latin, "referendum" is the gerundive form of "referre", functioning as a passive periphrastic, which indicates something that "must be referred". It originated from the phrase "res referenda" which can be translated as "a matter to be referred". The word was adopted into English as a noun in the mid-19th century to specifically refer to a popular vote on a particular issue or question.
Similar spelling words for REFERENDA
- reference,
- reverend,
- reverence,
- referenced,
- reprehend,
- refereeing,
- referential,
- reverent,
- reference to,
- reverently,
- reverenced,
- referent,
- referendum,
- reverential,
- re-formed.
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