Overview

Referendums are playing an increasingly influential role in the process of European integration. Starting with the entry of a first wave of new European Community members in the 1970s, this instrument of popular decision making has grown ever more important. Later stages in the enlargement process of the European Union have led to even more referendums. Indeed, European integration was seriously jeopardized when Danish voters first rejected the Maastricht Treaty and France's citizens almost joined them. Yet we know very little about how referendums affect the integration process. This landmark study bridges this gap in two ways. First, it offers a thorough comparative analysis of referendums that have occurred so far in the process of European integration. Utilizing a detailed study of voting behavior by citizens in these referendum campaigns, Simon Hug argues that understanding this behavior is of crucial importance if we want to accurately assess the impact of referendums on European integration. The author then draws on his comparative data to analyze the likely consequences of referendums based on those that have taken place and proposals for new initiatives. With its detailed empirical analysis and theoretical foundation, this book makes an important contribution both to the study of referendums and to our understanding of institutional reform and integration within the EU.

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9780742516922

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By systematically challenging a body of conventional scholarly wisdom, Hug's book advances our thinking about the ambiguous costs and benefits of one democratic-sounding mechaninsm. The topic is exciting, and Hug's findings are stimulating. Political scientists intersted either in further democratizing Western politics or in the construction of international organizations ought to read Hug's study and wrestle with its conclusions. Perspectives On Politics Simon Hug's book stands out through its extremely rigorous explanations. European Library The book contains a number of valuable case studies. Political Studies Voices of Europe certainly meets its objective of providing a rigorous analysis of the role of referendums in the process of European integration and the governance of European Union. It also provides an important first step in extending the existing literature on direct democracy beyond the local and state level. Public Choice

Author Information

Simon Hug is professor of political science at the Universität St. Gallen, Switzerland.

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