Power to the People! But How? The Different Uses of Referendums Around the World

Matt Qvortrup

Political Studies Review, 2015, vol. 13, issue 1, 37-45

Abstract: type="main">

Are the voters capable of making complex decisions and informed choices in referendums? Do referendums and other forms of direct democracy provide mechanisms for citizen deliberation? Why do dictators like Hitler and Pinochet use referendums? Are referendum campaigns ultimately decided by who has got the deepest pockets and the best campaign advisors? These are the questions discussed and investigated in the books under review. The conclusion that emerges is that voters are able to make informed choices which broadly reflect their political preferences and they are generally not swayed by spin and campaigns. In the light of these findings, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic as regards the deliberative potential of referendums.

Altman , D. ( 2011 ) Direct Democracy Worldwide . Cambridge : Cambridge University Press . Bernhard , L. ( 2012 ) Campaign Strategy in Direct Democracy . Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan . Hobolt , S. B. ( 2009 ) Europe in Question: Referendums on European Integration . Oxford : Oxford University Press . Schiller , T. (ed.) ( 2011 ) Local Direct Democracy in Europe . Wiesbaden : VS Verlag . Setälä , M. and Schiller , T. (eds) ( 2012 ) Citizens' Initiatives in Europe: Procedures and Consequences of Agenda-Setting by Citizens . Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan . Tierney , S. ( 2012 ) Constitutional Referendums: The Theory and Practice of Republican Deliberation . Oxford : Oxford University Press . Wyn Jones , R. and Scully , R. ( 2012 ) Wales Says Yes: Devolution and the 2011 Welsh Referendum . Cardiff : University of Wales Press .

Date: 2015
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