The Politics of Referendum Use in European Democracies
The Politics of Referendum Use in European Democracies This book demonstrates that the generally assumed dichotomy between referendums and representative democracy does not do justice to the great…
Specifikacia The Politics of Referendum Use in European Democracies
The Politics of Referendum Use in European Democracies
This book demonstrates that the generally assumed dichotomy between referendums and representative democracy does not do justice to the great diversity of referendum types and of how referendums are used in European democracies. Rather than reflecting the direct power of the People, most referendums in EU countries are held by, and serve the interests of, the political elites, most notably the executive. Although in all referendums citizens vote directly on issues rather than letting their political representatives do this for them, some referendums are more direct than others.
Instead of being driven by the need to compensate for the deficiency of political parties, decision-makers use referendums primarily to protect the position of their party. The book shows that these interests rarely match the justifications given in the public debate. In unravelling the strategic role played by national referendums in decision-making, this book makes an unconventional contribution to the debate on the impact of referendums on democracy.
Politics in the European Union
Comparative European Politics
In the Web of Politics