Overview
Although referendums have been used for centuries to settle ethnonational conflicts, there had yet been no systematic study or generalized theory concerning their effectiveness until Matt Qvortrup's Referendums and Ethnic Conflict. Qvortrup's study filled 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, the scholar created 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 considered 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 updated and revised edition includes a new introduction bringing the general field to the present, as well as new specific sections on Scotland (2014), Catalonia (2017), and the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom (2016). The original work's political framework now also covers the literature on identity politics, online campaigning, the regulation of social media, and how referendums are used increasingly as populist devices. This edition also updates referendum results through the end of 2020.
Full Product Details
Author: Matt Qvortrup
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
Imprint: University of Pennsylvania Press
Edition: 2nd New edition
ISBN: 9780812253993
ISBN 10: 081225399
Pages: 277
Publication Date: 05 April 2022
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
A most impressive and crucially important contribution to the comparative and historical study of nationalism and democracy. * Arend Lijphart, former President of the American Political Science Association * A valuable and comprehensive study of a much-too-neglected subject, both for democratic theory and for conflict management. * Donald L. Horowitz, Duke University *
A most impressive and crucially important contribution to the comparative and historical study of nationalism and democracy.-- Arend Lijphart, former President of the American Political Science Association A valuable and comprehensive study of a much-too-neglected subject, both for democratic theory and for conflict management.-- Donald L. Horowitz, Duke University
Praise for the first edition: A most impressive and crucially important contribution to the comparative and historical study of nationalism and democracy. -Arend Lijphart, former President of the American Political Science Association A valuable and comprehensive study of a much-too-neglected subject, both for democratic theory and for conflict management. -Donald L. Horowitz, Duke University
Author Information
Matt Qvortrup is Professor of Political Science at Coventry University and Visiting Professor at the Australian National University. He is also joint editor-in-chief of The European Political Science Review. A lawyer as well as a political scientist, he earned his doctorate at Oxford University.
