From Comment Is Free:
The problem with referendums is that they can go horribly wrong.
Ten years ago to the day, on 29 May 2005, France held a referendum over whether it should ratify the proposed European constitution. Opinion polls had predicted an overwhelming victory for the yes camp (some expecting the vote for yes to be as high as 65%).
Yet the outcome was a resounding 55% in favour of no. The outcome effectively stymied plans for a single European constitution. Jacques Chirac, then president, had massively overplayed his hand.
How can a referendum possibly 'go wrong', provided the pro's and con's of something are explained to the electorate fairly and in an even handed manner? Not that they ever are of course, it will be hysterical unfounded gibberish from both sides and referendums are usually rigged anyway.
It's like asking somebody what they'd like to drink/where they'd like to go on holiday/what their favorite color is, and then when they reply, following up with "Are you sure?" or even worse, telling them "No you don't."
Debate Magazine
