The Referendum Experience in Europe

The referendum has become established as part of the decision-making process in many European countries. Experts from each country survey the historical experience and current debates in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia and eastern Europe, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The impact of the referendum experience upon European politics is assessed, and the merits of the use of the referendum are evaluated, with a discussion on the implications for political parties, party systems, and representative government.

Inhalt

List of Tables - List of Figures - Preface - Introduction; P.V.Uleri -Austria: the Referendum as an Instrument of Internationalisation; A.Pelinka & S.Greiderer - Denmark: the Referendum as Minority Protection; P.Svensson - Finland: the Referendum as a Dormant Feature; M.Suksi - France: Towards a Less Controversial Use of the Referendum?; L.Morel - Ireland: the Referendum as a Conservative Device?; M.Gallagher - Italy: Referendums and Initiative from the Origins to the Crisis of a Democratic Regime; P.V.Uleri - The Netherlands: National Debates and Local Experience; J.van Holsteyn - Norway: Six Exceptions to the Rule; T.C.Wyller - Russia, the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe: the Referendum as a Flexible Political Instrument; S.White & R.J.Hill - Sweden: the Referendum as an Instrument for Defusing Political Issues; O.Ruin - Switzerland: the Referendum and Initiative as a Centrepiece of the Political System; A.H.Trechsel & H.Kriesi - United Kingdom: Constitutional Pragmatism and the Adoption of the Referendum; D.Balsom - Conclusion; M.Gallagher - Notes on Contributors - Index