Referendums Around the World

"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."

Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Editors and Contributors -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Chapter 1 Introduction: Theory, Practice and History -- Theory -- Britain -- Germany and the Continent -- Practice -- References -- Chapter 2 Western Europe -- Legal Provisions for Referendums in Western Europe -- Why Are Referendums Held? -- When Are Referendums Won? -- The Effect of Referendums -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 3 Switzerland -- The Origins of Swiss Direct Democracy -- Mechanisms of Direct Democracy at the National Level -- 1848-the Mandatory Constitutional Referendum and the Citizens' Initiative for a Total Revision of the Constitution -- 1874 the Optional Legislative Referendum -- 1891 the Citizens' Initiative for Partial Revision of the Constitution and the Counter-Proposal by Parliament -- The Optional and Mandatory Treaty Referendums -- 1949 Mandatory and Optional Referendums in the Case of Urgent Decrees -- 2003 the 'General Initiative' -- Voting Channels -- Who Is Allowed to Vote? -- Mechanisms of Direct Democracy at the Cantonal Level -- Europeanization and Globalization -- Participation -- Direct Democracy Campaigns -- Functions and Effects of Direct Democracy -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 4 Russia, the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe -- The Referendum in Communist Experience -- Poland, November 1987 -- Soviet Union, March 1991 -- The Referendum in the Transition from Communism -- The Referendum in the Post-Soviet World -- Central European Democracies -- Patterns -- References -- Chapter 5 North America and the Caribbean -- History -- Populists Versus Progressives -- Rules for Using Referendums and Initiatives in the US -- Rules for Using Referendums and Initiatives in Canada -- Use of Referendums and Initiatives in Canada

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"--