The referendum has become established as part of the decision-making process in many European countries. The impact of the referendum experience upon European politics is assessed, and the merits of the use of the referendum are evaluated, with a discussion on the implications for political parties, party systems, and representative government.

List of Tables - List of Figures - Preface - Introduction; P.V.Uleri -Austria: the Referendum as an Instrument of Internationalisation; A.Pelinka & S.Greiderer - Denmark: the Referendum as Minority Protection; P.Svensson - Finland: the Referendum as a Dormant Feature; M.Suksi - France: Towards a Less Controversial Use of the Referendum?; L.Morel - Ireland: the Referendum as a Conservative Device?; M.Gallagher - Italy: Referendums and Initiative from the Origins to the Crisis of a Democratic Regime; P.V.Uleri - The Netherlands: National Debates and Local Experience; J.van Holsteyn - Norway: Six Exceptions to the Rule; T.C.Wyller - Russia, the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe: the Referendum as a Flexible Political Instrument; S.White & R.J.Hill - Sweden: the Referendum as an Instrument for Defusing Political Issues; O.Ruin - Switzerland: the Referendum and Initiative as a Centrepiece of the Political System; A.H.Trechsel & H.Kriesi - United Kingdom: Constitutional Pragmatism and the Adoption of the Referendum; D.Balsom - Conclusion; M.Gallagher - Notes on Contributors - Index

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