In its modern form, the term was first used in the constitutional plebiscite attempting to legitimize the new regime of the Helvetic Republic (Switzerland), which was imposed by the French conquerors in 1798. The word first appeared in English in its contemporary sense in the 1880s. Although no agreed-upon line of distinction exists between the terms plebiscite and referendum, the former is more often associated with
ad hoc popular votes to endorse a regime or a specific policy. Early twenty-first-century usage tends to favor the word referendum.
The popular initiative is a specific type of referendum. This instrument allows citizens the right to propose legislation or constitutional amendments that are put to a popular vote and must be implemented by the government if passed. The only countries that allow voters this right on national questions are Switzerland and Italy. The initiative also exists at the subnational level in twenty-three U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Referendum Usage Around the World
Switzerland has held more nationwide referendums since it introduced the institution in 1848 than all other countries combined, following the emergence of the modern nation-state.
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