How Referendums Challenge European Democracy

‘On both sides of the Channel, apparently secure democratic institutions are in trouble. Political legitimacy has been eroded by the unresolved conflicts between popular and representative democracy, and between often-complacent elites and increasingly sceptical electorates. The Brexit drama has not caused these problems, but it has reflected and severely deepened them, especially in Britain. Richard Rose’s compelling, unsparing examination lays these problems bare. His analysis should be heeded by students and practitioners of politics alike.’

–Peter Kellner, Political Journalist and Co-founder of YouGov, UK

‘Direct democracy has come to play an increasingly important role in the dynamic of European integration, including the dramatic departure of a member state, the UK. This volume is a must-read on referendums and the structural limits of EU democracy.’

–Brigid Laffan, Director, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European UniversityInstitute, Italy

‘Richard Rose and his colleagues bring together the study of democratic elections, the institutions of the EU and the politics of Brexit. The analysis is consistently insightful and the references remarkably topical. To understand how political legitimacy is fragile in bounded democracies, this is an invaluable book.’

–Albert Weale, Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy, UCL, UK

This book explains how citizens are using referendums to challenge decisions taken by the European Union. The opening chapters compare the two chief institutions of electoral democracy: parliamentary elections to decide who governs, and referendums to decide policies. Chapters analysing referendum voting on Europe in Britain, Greece and the Netherlands show that cultural values can have a stronger influence than class. The book uses Brexit as the leading example of a conflict between national voters and the EU. However, taking back control of policymaking does not ensure effective policymaking when success depends not only on what the British Parliament does but also on decisions taken in Brussels, Washington and elsewhere. The EU is challenged too, as its policies increasingly depend on what happens on other continents.

Richard Rose has received many European awards for his books on comparative elections, public policy and British and European Union politics. He is Founder-Director of the Centre for the Study of Public Policy, University of Strathclyde, UK.