Referendums Around the World: With a Foreword by Sir David Butler

Chapter 1: Referendums: Theory and History: Matt Qvortrup -- Chapter 2: Europe: Matt Qvortrup -- Chapter 3: Asia: Osbern Huang and Matt Qvortrup -- Chapter 4: North America and the Caribbean: Todd Donovan and Matt Qvortrup -- Chapter 5: Oceania: Kerryn Baker, Caroline Morris, and Matt Qvortrup -- Chapter 6: Africa: Norbert Kersting -- Chapter 7: Latin America: David Altman -- Chapter 8: Switzerland: Uwe Serdült -- Chapter 9: Referendums Around the World: Trends and Tendencies: Matt Qvortrup.

"Direct Democracy is inexpensive. The average cost per vote is about $ 10. So, maybe we should have more of them? Before you answer that question, you need to know the facts about this type of complementary democracy. Referendums Around the World, is a complete and comprehensive revision of the 2016 edition of Referendums Around the World, which in turn was an updated version of the 2013 edition, the proposed volume is a comprehensive revision and update of the previous book. The previous edition provided overviews of the history, legal basis, and practice of referendums around the world, with chapters on, Africa, Australia, Asia Latin America, Europe, and a special chapter on Switzerland (the sui generis of referendums). In addition, this third edition offers a completely revised introduction by the editor, a wholly revised concluding chapter by the editor, a special chapter on winning referendums including perspectives from neuroscience, as well as a list of all nationwide referendums held to date."

Surveying all referendums around the world since 1793, Dr Qvortrup and contributors provide a thorough account of why and when citizens have been asked to vote on policy issues. Referendums Around the World is essential reading for political scientists and others interested in direct democracy as well as representative government

"Referendums Around the World is a ground breaking empirical study. A successor to David Butler and Austin Ranney's classic, the present volume surveys all referendums held worldwide since since 1793. Unlike its predecessor, in this edition, Dr Qvortrup and a cast of outstanding contributors provide a thorough account of the pros and cons of referendums, the reason why politicians have submitted issues to referendums and the consequences of letting the people decide. Covering countries and regimes ranging from developed democracies to autocratic regimes, the book is a tour de force of referendums written by some of the world's foremost experts on the subject"--