Europe

The chapter summarizes the constitutional and legal provisions for different kinds of referendums in Europe. In addition, it provides an overview of the use of the device in both long-established polyarchies in Western Europe and in more recently developed democracies in former Communist countries. Despite criticism of individual referendum results, it is concluded that overall, the individual voter’s decision to support or reject a referendum is not irrational, nor is it merely a ‘second order election’, though elements of this explanation can be detected. There is empirical support for the assertion that voters base their decisions on their support or otherwise for the proposition on the ballot. But a government generally finds it much harder to convince the electorate if it has been in office for a long time and if the issues are complex and have been little discussed before the referendum campaign.