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Occurrence and Policy Consequences of Referendums

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  • Simon Hug

    (University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, simon.hug@unisg.ch)

Abstract

Referendums provide citizen control over policy outcomes under various institutional provisions. This article offers a theoretical model covering four types of referendums, which differ with respect to their likelihood of occurring and their policy consequences. Implications derived from this model suggest that provisions that allow an opposition group to propose policies to be adopted by referendum should lead to more popular votes. Under these provisions, policies adopted should also more closely reflect the policy preferences of the median voter. Support for these implications appears in data on American states and countries around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Hug, 2004. "Occurrence and Policy Consequences of Referendums," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 16(3), pages 321-356, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:16:y:2004:i:3:p:321-356
    DOI: 10.1177/0951629804043205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Seebauer, Michael, 2015. "Does direct democracy foster efficient policies? An experimental investigation of costly initiatives," FAU Discussion Papers in Economics 01/2015, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute for Economics.

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