Direct democracy is ill-fitted to engaging the politically disengaged, but popular with more active citizens

The UK has seen a spate of referendums since 1997, with the public being consulted on the creation of new mayoralties, parliaments, assemblies, voting systems, and soon our membership of the European Union. But does direct democracy have the potential to engage those who are currently disinterested in politics? Arndt Leninger argues that while it is popular with engaged in politics already it will do little to engage the disengaged.