Pandora's Ballot Box: Domestic Politics of Referendums

• In Event: Censorship and Persuasion

Abstract

We consider the use of a referendum by an office-motivated incumbent, when: the commitment of one party to honor the result of a referendum is more credible than another's and when there are ideological divisions both across and within parties. We show how the incentive to use referendums either to resolve or instead to trigger conflict on a latent political issue hinges on the degree of partisanship on traditional issues, as well as its electoral strength or weakness. We apply our predictions and insights to Brexit.

Authors

• Peter Buisseret, Harvard University

• Richard Van Weelden, University of Pittsburgh