In Venezuela "you don't see a government in charge, only plebiscites, referendums, more elections and they tell us 'wait', but we gringos are not known for our patience," Peter Romero, the State Department's top official for Latin America, told a Spanish newspaper.
All this means a plebiscite or referendum is an idea of superficial appeal and long lived dangers.
After a special Coalition party-room meeting on Tuesday rejected proposals to give members a free vote on the issue, the prime minister pledged to take it to the people, through a plebiscite or referendum.
She said if she had a vote in parliament now she would vote for same-sex marriage and "if, much against my views about what is best for our nation, a plebiscite or referendum is held on same-sex marriage, then as a voter, I would certainly cast my ballot in favour of same sex marriage".
Since a popular vote is not needed to change the definition of marriage, Gillard argued in the Michael Kirby lecture in Melbourne on Wednesday night, "the only foundation stone for the idea of a plebiscite or referendum is an appeal to the all too popular sentiment that politicians are inadequate, that their decision making is somehow deficient".
Abbott conceded after the lengthy party room meeting that this was the last term in which the Coalition could bind its MPs and senators to oppose same-sex marriage, and that it would formulate a policy before the next election that could include a plebiscite or referendum to "put it to the people".
India's Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, also pledged a plebiscite or referendum for Kashmir under international auspices.
In Kashmir, the first pledge that people there would determine their future by a plebiscite or referendum was made in 1947.
Looking at the events over the last 40 years, the Plebiscite 2013 referendum is nothing new.
