Difference between plebiscite and referendum?
There is no clear cut demarcation between the plebiscites and referendums. Although both are important tools for direct democracy. Some of the key differences between both of them are as follows:-
| Characteristic | Plebiscite | Referendum |
| Bindingness | Non-binding | Binding |
| Frequency | Less common | More common |
| Purpose | To gauge public opinion | To make a decision on a specific policy or law |
| Example | The 1938 plebiscite in Germany | The 2011 referendum in Ireland |