중앙정부에 의한 지역간 경쟁적 주민투표제도의 개선과제

Abstract

This study deals with local referendum in connection with locating a proper site for nuclear waste. In 2005, Korean central government requested referendum to local governments which showed interests in hosting nuclear waste site. This unprecedented approach contributed breakthrough in solving a 19 year-pending national agenda- locating a nuclear waste site. In this sense, the referendum, which is asking people's opinion directly on an important question affecting peoples' lives, gets attention and have significance for the students of policy science. The referendum, however, is different from other one and have resulted in serious social problems. They are as follows: i) Central government proposed too much financial aid and policy benefits to encourage peoples' participation on the vote. In connection with residents' vote on hosting a nuclear waste site, the central government announce that any local government with a highest approval rate would be awarded 300 billion won of financial incentive package. ii) The financial package caused a serious competitive situation among four local governments that showed interests in hosting the nuclear site. That is, some group of people were very much supportive of hosting the nuclear site because of financial incentives, while others were extremely opposed to the idea because of the potential danger of nuclear wastes. Emotion-laden conflicts emerged. This study analyzes the problems of this resident's vote (referendum) and suggests a better approach. It focuses on the problem of causing unproductive competition among local governments.