distinction outil instrument

A string quartet or a group of brass instruments, for instance, cannot be treated in the same manner as a symphony orchestra. Officially a Distinction is classified as an A grade. As Professor Möckli points out, "usually it is the ruling majority which decides whether or not an issue should be put to a referendum. Information facilities, however sophisticated, would not be able — at least not in the foreseeable future — to extend the bilateral dialogue between one elected representative and one citizen to a dialogue between one elected representative and a number of citizens; the electronic forum is not yet fully tried and tested.9. The choice and wording of questions, draft legislation or draft constitutional provisions should be accompanied by statutory guarantees concerning the membership of the bodies responsible, once the decision has been taken to hold the referendum, for proposing questions or draft legislation, seeing to it that the questions are consistent with the purpose of the referendum and ensuring that the questions asked are in conformity with the constitution.46. The following examples show the diversity of situations:17. Furthermore, the result of such a referendum should be binding and have legal force41. A prior observation is necessary to prevent a misunderstanding, with potentially weighty implications, which tends to set direct democracy against representative democracy. instruments of participation in a representative system 31. For instance, on many, tremolos can be played on two different notes. Direct consultation methods are a complement to the machinery of representative democracy. Despite this evolution, the institution of the referendum as an element of direct democracy has nonetheless been retained or introduced in several representative democracies.15. to lay down rules and guiding principles which, in order to prevent any misuse of the referendum:      a. enable a referendum to be set in motion by minority groups, whereby the number of signatories should be fixed by each state in accordance with a threshold considered to be significant compared with the total electorate;      b. ensure that the referendum is preceded by a debate in parliament;      c. fix a quota for participation in the ballot which discourages abstentionism while guaranteeing a minimum rate of participation enabling the result obtained to be regarded as representative and valid.II. There are various different ways of initiating a local referendum: it may be a matter for the local council alone; a certain percentage of citizens may take the initiative, but it is still up to the local council to decide whether the referendum should take place; the requisite percentage of citizens may make the referendum obligatory; or lastly, the law may make the holding of a referendum on certain subjects obligatory.16. The active interest and involvement of the electorate in public affairs is essential in keeping democracy alive. The harmonisation of mostly contradictory and conflicting needs of citizens or groups of citizens, dictated by the general interest, can be achieved only through parliamentary deliberations. However, in most Council of Europe member states the political institutions are designed in such a way that the citizen participation in political life provided for by the institutions is limited to the election of representatives. A referendum can also be set in motion by citizens on the condition that a petition has been signed by 300 000 citizens.23. The poor rate of participation in many elections held in member states and, in general, citizen dissatisfaction with the functioning of pluralist democracies calls for a debate on the phenomenon, which is hardly surprising since democracy is a permanent quest demanded by new circumstances and changing attitudes.3. Subsequently they also dealt with social problems (for example the abolition of the prohibition of alcoholic drinks in Finland in 1930 and the introduction of religious education in Estonia in 1923).