das
Volksbegehren
🗳️ What Exactly is a Volksbegehren?
Das Volksbegehren (noun, neuter) refers to an instrument of direct democracy. It allows citizens to force a vote (a Volksentscheid or referendum) on a specific political issue or draft law, or to oblige the parliament to address a topic. To do this, a specified number of signatures must be collected.
It's a petition or demand from the people (das Volk - the eligible voters) to the legislature (e.g., Bundestag or Landtag) to deal with a specific concern or to put a bill to a vote. It's an important element for directly incorporating the will of the citizens into the political process.
🚨 There is only this one article and this one main meaning for the word.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Volksbegehren
The word "Volksbegehren" is a neuter noun. It is used with the article das.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Volksbegehren |
| Genitive | des | Volksbegehrens |
| Dative | dem | Volksbegehren |
| Accusative | das | Volksbegehren |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Volksbegehren |
| Genitive | der | Volksbegehren |
| Dative | den | Volksbegehren |
| Accusative | die | Volksbegehren |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Volksbegehren zur Rettung der Bienen war erfolgreich.
(The popular initiative to save the bees was successful.) - Die Organisatoren sammelten Unterschriften für das Volksbegehren.
(The organizers collected signatures for the popular initiative.) - Durch das Volksbegehren wurde das Parlament gezwungen, das Gesetz zu diskutieren.
(Through the popular initiative, the parliament was forced to discuss the law.) - Der Erfolg des Volksbegehrens hängt von der Unterstützung der Bevölkerung ab.
(The success of the popular initiative depends on the support of the population.)
🏛️ Usage in Context
Das Volksbegehren is primarily used in political and legal contexts. It describes a specific process of citizen participation in democracies like Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
- Typical Use Cases: Discussions about direct democracy, reporting on political initiatives, describing legislative procedures.
- Context: Often used with terms like Volksentscheid (referendum/plebiscite), Bürgerinitiative (citizens' initiative), Unterschriftensammlung (signature collection), direkte Demokratie (direct democracy), Gesetzentwurf (draft law).
- Distinction: A Volksbegehren is the request to force a vote or parliamentary consideration. The subsequent voting process itself is called Volksentscheid. A Bürgerinitiative can be more general and doesn't necessarily have to aim for a Volksbegehren.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Imagine das whole population (Volk) has one neutral, common desire (Begehren). The neuter article 'das' often refers to collective or abstract concepts. Think of 'das Volk' (the people as a collective) having 'das Begehren' (the desire) leading to das Volksbegehren.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Volk = people/folk, Begehren = strong desire, demand. So, it's literally the "people's desire" formulated as a political demand.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Volksbegehren
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Volksinitiative: Very similar, often used synonymously, sometimes with slightly different legal structures depending on the state/country.
- Bürgerbegehren: Similar instrument, usually at the municipal (local government) level.
- Referendum (Antrag / petition for): The request or initiative phase leading to a potential referendum.
Antonyms (opposite in process):
- Gesetzesinitiative (durch Regierung/Parlament): A law initiated "top-down" by the government or parliament.
- Erlass / Verordnung: A decree or ordinance issued by the executive branch.
- Parlamentsbeschluss: A decision made by elected representatives without a prior direct demand from the populace via this specific mechanism.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with Volksentscheid (the actual vote/referendum) or Petition (a less formal request to authorities/parliament, which is less binding).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum war das Volksbegehren für kostenlose Gummibärchen so beliebt? - Weil das Volk ein starkes Begehren nach Süßem hatte!
English Translation: Why was the popular initiative for free gummy bears so popular? - Because the people (das Volk) had a strong desire (Begehren) for sweets!
✒️ A Little Poem
German:
Das Volk erhebt die Stimme klar,
mit Unterschrift, ganz wunderbar.
Ein Wunsch, ein Ziel, ein großes Planen,
das Volksbegehren bricht sich Bahnen.
Es fordert auf, es drängt und mahnt,
hat Demokratie neu angefacht.
English Translation:
The people raise their voice so clear,
With signatures, banishing fear.
A wish, a goal, a grand design,
The people's call breaks through the line.
It urges on, demands, reminds,
Democracy it newly finds.
❓ A Little Riddle
German:
Ich bin kein König und kein Zar,
doch hör' ich auf des Volkes Schar.
Mit Listen voller Namenszüge,
fordere ich Politik zur Rüge
oder bring' ein Thema auf den Tisch.
Wie heiß' ich, sag es, aber frisch!
English Translation:
I am no king and not a czar,
But listen to the people's star.
With lists all full of signed names,
I call on politics with claims,
Or bring a topic to the fore.
What am I called? Tell me, explore!
Solution: Das Volksbegehren (The popular initiative)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Volksbegehren" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Das Volk: Refers to the people, the population, or the eligible voters of a state.
- Das Begehren: Means a strong desire, wish, request, or demand.
Historical Context: Popular initiatives (Volksbegehren) and referendums (Volksentscheide) have a varied history in Germany. After World War II, they were reintroduced hesitantly at the federal level but are an established instrument in the individual German states (Bundesländer).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Volksbegehren?
The word "Volksbegehren" is a neuter noun and always takes the article das. There are no other articles or meanings associated with this specific political instrument.