Referendum as a Party Tool: The Case of Slovakia Cover Image
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Referendum as a Party Tool: The Case of Slovakia
Referendum as a Party Tool: The Case of Slovakia

Author(s): Miroslav Nemčok, Peter Spáč
Subject(s): Political history, Government/Political systems, Electoral systems, Politics and society, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today), Sociology of Politics
Published by: SAGE Publications Ltd
Keywords: referendum; political parties; voter mobilization; visibility; Slovakia;

Summary/Abstract: Referendums are widely regarded as a way of enhancing democracy as they provide a further arena for citizens to affect public policy outcomes. In this regard, Slovakia represents a deviant case that contradicts such an expectation. Since its emergence in 1993, the country implemented mechanisms of direct democracy into its political system. This article analyses referendums in Slovakia and it shows how political parties use the employment of this tool solely for their own purposes. Our study provides evidence that Slovak political parties use referendums either as a way to mobilize their own supporters for upcoming national elections or to harm their opponents. Hence, a referendum in Slovakia serves as a tool for expanding the power of political parties rather than as a way of increasing the public engagement of citizens in the democratic system.

  • Issue Year: 33/2019
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 755-777
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: English