Brexit is a reminder that some things just shouldn’t be decided by referendum

By Emily Badger


Let's face it. Both the EU and the US are facing a democracy deficit and the legitimacy crisis that comes with it. The EU's problem is worse, but the situation in the US is becoming myopic. We have seen a massive growth in the powers of the federal government, the courts and the undemocratic administrative state, and entities that are given power have a tendency to arrogate more if permitted. Meanwhile the press has become incestuous with the government. Populism is not bigotry, but a response to a real sense of disenfranchisement. Seeing the fevered reaction to the Brexit vote is eye opening.