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

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

Current price: $119.94
Publication Date: April 5th, 2022
Publisher:
University of Pennsylvania Press
ISBN:
9780812253993
Pages:
224
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Description

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.

About the Author

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.