So.. this is interesting.
The Economist this week has a leader story / special report on California.  You can buy it (One click buy PDF, which includes all graphics, etc), but you may be able to read most of it at these links. (Most of the links are on the right side of this page.)
All the Articles if you click (but if you can see the articles, well.. there isn’t anything to click) –>
The people’s will: California is an experiment in extreme democracy gone wrong, says Andreas Kluth. But reform could make it a model for others
Direct democracy – Origin of the species: Â From Athens via Switzerland to the Wild West
Proposition 13 – War by initiative: Â A case study in unintended consequences
Stateside and abroad -Â Direct democracy is global and spreading, though the flavour varies
California’s legislature -The withering branch: Â How the initiative process has redistributed power
Education – A lesson in mediocrity:  California’s schools show how direct democracy can destroy accountability
How voters decide – What do you know?: Â Citizens are not as well-informed as they think
What next? – Burn the wagons!: Â California must move before its next crisis