Referendums and Ethnic Conflict (National and Ethnic Conflict in the 21st Century)

One of the world's leading experts in referendums, Qvortrup provides a timely, intensively researched account of the history, practice, and theory of referendums on national issues. The book presents a state-of-the-art political science analysis of issues pertaining to democracy and national self-determination. One of the world's leading experts in referendums, Qvortrup provides a timely, intensively researched account of the history, practice, and theory of referendums on national issues. The book presents a state-of-the-art political science analysis of issues pertaining to democracy and national self-determination. Although Referendums Have Been Used For Centuries To Settle Ethnonational Conflicts, There Has Yet Been No Systematic Study Or Generalized Theory Concerning Their Effectiveness. Referendums And Ethnic Conflict Fills The Gap With A Comparative And Empirical Analysis Of All The Referendums Held On Ethnic And National Issues From The French Revolution To The 2012 Referendum On Statehood For Puerto Rico. Drawing On Political Theory And Descriptive Case Studies, Matt Qvortrup Creates Typologies Of Referendums That Are Held To Endorse Secession, Redraw Disputed Borders, Legitimize A Policy Of Homogenization, Or Otherwise Manage Ethnic Or National Differences. He Considers The Circumstances That Compel Politicians To Resort To Direct Democracy, Such As Regime Change, And The Conditions That Might Exacerbate A Violent Response -- 1. The History And Logic Of Ethnonational Referendums, 1791-1945 -- 2. Difference-managing Referendums -- 3. Secession And Partition -- 4. Ethnonational Referendums In Constitutional Law: A Case Study Of Scotland -- 5. Right-sizing Referendums -- 6. Difference-eliminating Referendums: E Pluribus Unum? -- 7. Eu Referendums: Nationalism And The Politics Of Supranational Integration -- 8. Regulation Of Ethnonational Referendums: A Comparative Overview -- Conclusion. Patterns And Tendencies In Ethnonational Referendums -- Appendix. Legislation And Litigation. Matt Qvortrup. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there has yet been no systematic study or generalized theory concerning their effectiveness. Referendums and Ethnic Conflict fills the gap with a comparative and empirical analysis of all the referendums held on ethnic and national issues from the French Revolution to the 2012 referendum on statehood for Puerto Rico. Drawing on political theory and descriptive case studies, Matt Qvortrup creates typologies of referendums that are held to endorse secession, redraw disputed borders, legitimize a policy of homogenization, or otherwise manage ethnic or national differences. He considers the circumstances that compel politicians to resort to direct democracy, such as regime change, and the conditions that might exacerbate a violent response.

Qvortrup offers a clear-eyed assessment of the problems raised when conflict resolution is sought through referendum as well as the conditions that are likely to lead to peaceful outcomes. This original political framework will provide a vital resource in the ongoing investigation into how democracy and nationalism may be reconciled.

Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there has yet been no systematic study or generalized theory concerning their effectiveness. Referendums and Ethnic Conflict fills the gap with a comparative and empirical analysis of all the referendums held on ethnic and national issues from the French Revolution to the 2012 referendum on statehood for Puerto Rico. Drawing on political theory and descriptive case studies, Matt Qvortrup creates typologies of referendums that are held to endorse secession, redraw disputed borders, legitimize a policy of homogenization, or otherwise manage ethnic or national differences. He considers the circumstances that compel politicians to resort to direct democracy, such as regime change, and the conditions that might exacerbate a violent response. Qvortrup offers a clear-eyed assessment of the problems raised when conflict resolution is sought through referendum as well as the conditions that are likely to lead to peaceful outcomes. This original political framework will provide a vital resource in the ongoing investigation into how democracy and nationalism may be reconciled. Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there has yet been no systematic study or generalized theory concerning their effectiveness. This book fills the gap with a comparative and empirical analysis of all the referendums held on ethnic and national issues from the French Revolution to the 2012 referendum on statehood for Puerto Rico. Drawing on political theory and descriptive case studies, Matt Qvortrup creates typologies of referendums that are held to endorse secession, redraw disputed borders, legitimize a policy of homogenization, or otherwise manage ethnic or national differences. He considers the circumstances that compel politicians to resort to direct democracy, such as regime change, and the conditions that might exacerbate a violent response.0Qvortrup offers a clear-eyed assessment of the problems raised when conflict resolution is sought through referendum as well as the conditions that are likely to lead to peaceful outcomes. This original political framework will provide a vital resource in the ongoing investigation into how democracy and nationalism may be reconciled Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there has yet been no systematic study or generalized theory concerning their effectiveness. Referendums and Ethnic Conflict fills the gap with a comparative and empirical analysis of all the referendums held on ethnic and national issues from the French Revolution to the 2012 referendum on statehood for Puerto Rico. Drawing on political theory and descriptive case studies, Matt Qvortrup creates typologies of referendums that are held to endorse secession, redraw disputed borders, legitimize a policy of homogenization, or otherwise manage ethnic or national differences. He considers the circumstances that compel politicians to resort to direct democracy, such as regime change, and the conditions that might exacerbate a violent response -- Provided by Publisher Introduction 1 1. The History and Logic of Ethnonational Referendums, 1791–1945 16 2. Difference-Managing Referendums 31 3. Secession and Partition 47 4. Ethnonational Referendums in Constitutional Law: A Case Study of Scotland 71 5. Right-Sizing Referendums 81 6. Difference-Eliminating Referendums: E Pluribus Unum? 96 7. EU Referendums: Nationalism and the Politics of Supranational Integration 114 8. Regulation of Ethnonational Referendums: A Comparative Overview 123 Conclusion. Patterns and Tendencies in Ethnonational Referendums 144 Appendix. Legislation and Litigation 161 Notes 163 Bibliography 169 Index 185 Acknowledgments 189