The Dynamics of Referendum Campaigns An International Perspective [Hardcover]

This book focuses on the key actors in a referendum (the political elites/ parties, the media and citizens) and is centred around themes such as campaign style, campaign effects, electoral mobilization and turnout, as well as vote choice. The contributors consider the impact and importance of referendum campaigns.Context, Elites, Media and Public Opinion in Referendums: When Campaigns Really Matter; C.de Vreese Opinion Formation and Change in Referendum Campaigns; L.LeDuc PART 1: THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS The Strategic Context of Referendums on the EU Constitution; S.Hug Referendum Campaigns: Changing What People Think or Changing What They Think About?; M.Marsh Campaign Information and Voting Behaviour in EU Referendums; S.Binzer Hobolt PART 2: TURNOUT AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION The Participation in Swiss Direct-democratic Votes; H.Kriesi Turnout in Referendums; P.Neijens, P.van Praag, W.Bosveld & J.Slot E-voting and Electoral Participation; A.H.Trechsel PART 3: UNDERSTANDING THE VOTE CHOICE AND THE OUTCOME Immigration, Identity, Economy and the Government; C.de Vreese & H.G.Boomgaarden The Ideological Response: Saying No to the Euro; H.Oscarsson The Determinants of Voting Choices on Environmental Issues; P.Sciarini, N.Bornstein & B.Lanz

'Referendums are increasingly important in democracies nowadays, and there is not enough published on how referendum campaigns work and how anticipated outcomes can be changed through the campaigning process. This volume takes us a long way toward understanding the referendum campaign process and it should have a wide readership among those who study campaigns, as well as practitioners including journalists and politicians.' - Holli A. Semetko, Professor of Political Science, Emory University, USA

'This is an exciting collection of papers by leading scholars. Direct democracy is an increasingly important feature of European politics and this collection is one of the handflÓõ