The Brexit referendum paradox

The main objective of this work is to demonstrate how the succession over time of different referenda may originate democratic paradoxes. To do this, first, a minimum and procedural notion of democracy defending the idea and the practice of polls as an instrument of direct democracy is outlined. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of four different referenda held over the years in the United Kingdom (UK) and its constituent countries is provided. This paper thus demonstrates how, even though each analyzed poll is to be considered as entirely democratic, the succession of these tools may lead to real paradoxes. In particular, it is presented how people could obtain an unintended result, despite providing consistent responses to different referendum questions.