Greece is a standard bearer of democracy

It is good to see the Greece giving its population of almost 11 million the opportunity to vote on whether they wish to accept further austerity measures as part of the bailout. They obviously believe the people must have a say. They are sharing the decision, because it will be the people who will live with the outcome.

Instead of terms being imposed on them, the Greek government is giving its people a say.

There are still some governments which understand the role of referendums in a democracy and at such a crucial moment for their country. Ireland still has them. We are the few who do.

Referendums can be a positive force for change or sometimes the opposite. There are risks. We wish the people of Greece the best in whichever way they decide on Sunday.

Greece is the cradle of democracy as it was one of the first in the ancient world to put it into practice around 510BC.

Democracy works when people claim it as their own wrote former US presidential aide and journalist Bill Moyers in 2007. Benjamin Franklin, however, described it as like two wolves and a lamb deciding on what to have for lunch.

Mary Sullivan

College Road

Cork