Number Of Referendums Research Articles

Geopolitical analysis of the new scenario in the bidding process for the host cities of the olympic games

Study Objective: To analyze the new conjuncture in the process for bidding to be the host city of the Summer or Winter Olympic Games. Methodology/Approach: Taking the 1990s as an initial reference point, this qualitative and exploratory research has been conducted, entailing the analysis and synthesis of data and information from secondary sources. The research extensively involves scrutinizing academic articles, books, news reports, and sources published on specialized websites.Originality/Relevance: The hosting of the Games and the demands imposed by the IOC have been increasingly criticized. A rise in the number of referendums with local inhabitants of bidding cities has resulted in applications being withdrawn throughout the selection process. Main Results: The results indicate that the new geopolitical scenario has significant implications for the bidding process for the Olympics. An unusual scenario ensues in the geopolitical environment of the Olympics, promoting not only changes in the profile of candidates, but also institutional changes within the IOC itself.Theoretical/methodological contributions: It can provide a better understanding of the complex relationship between politics, power, and sports events. The research can help to identify key variables that impact the selection process, which can then be further investigated through quantitative studies.Social/Management Contribution: The research can shed light on the impact of the selection process on society, including its economic, political, and social consequences. It can also inform the decision-making process of the IOC and other stakeholders involved.

An Economic Analysis of Voters' Turnout in Petition Referendums

In this paper we analyse four possible variables influencing voters' turnout in petition referendums in Italy: the nature of the issue (efficiency or distributive), the number of referendums voted together, the month in which the referendum is held, and parties' recommendations. The decision to vote or to abstain is important because the Italian Constitution establishes a 50% + 1 voter threshold turnout for the referendum to have legal effects. We find that distributive referendums have higher turnout than efficiency referendums, the higher the number of voters supporting parties that recommends abstention, the lower the turnout, referendums held in June have lower turnout. Finally, up to five referendums there is no effect of the number of referendums voted together on turnout. Starting from these results, we provide some suggestions for reforms.

Ursula Gaillard (review)

516 Reviews Mariage de raison: Romandset Alemaniques, une histoiresuisse. By Christophe Buchi. Trans. by Ursula Gaillard. Carouge-Geneve: Editions Zoe. 2001. 335 pp. SWF36. ISBN 2-88182-441-2. Though by a journalist, this is the work of a historian. Historian of what? Not so much of the languages of Switzerland (there is very little about the languages them? selves, except the relative place of dialect versus the standard form), as of the political relations between the language groups. Almost certainly, as a journalist, Christophe Biichi is principally concerned with the present. In order to explain it, pushing the causal chain furtherand furtherback, he reaches the almost mythical foundation ofthe Swiss Confederation in 1291. Whom will this interest?Well, anybody who knows what rostigrabenis foropeners; all those who have a historical, political, or literary interest either in Switzerland or other multilingual countries (Canada would be an obvious point of comparison, and most of the foreign works listed in the ample bibliography are from Canada/Quebec). There is no unseemly rush for the present, however: the post-First World War period is not reached until page 233 (out of 305 pages of text), and whereas the development and spread ofthe Confederation are dealt with in some detail, as the present draws near, the subsections become shorter and more allusive. Since my own approach to Switzerland has been mainly literary,and it is eminently possible to have a scholarly interest in one of the cultures of Switzerland without much reference to the remainder, I found this book salutary. It did, however, reveal a glaring gap in my knowledge: geography. I am finewith islands (the UK and Ireland are no problem?and even Italy fairlyeasy to steer my way around), but landlocked countries like Hungary, Austria, and .. . Switzerland are a black spot. Until now, I had relied on the banks of the lake to guide me from Geneva to Montreux, and mostly that was enough. Sadly, this book is not abundantly supplied with maps to help the foreign reader: there is one small map showing the current linguistic situation in shades so uncontrasted as to be confusing. Maps showing the growth ofthe Confederation, and tables giving historic populations, forexample, and French-style tableaux de synthese would have been very welcome. There is a certain amount of honest revisionism. The period 1798-1848, often seen as a black period in Swiss history, is also that in which the French-speaking cantons (apart from Fribourg) came into the Confederation as full members, and hence needs some re-evaluation ifits heritage is to be seen as a good thing. Part of the book's aim is to dispel the popular international view of Switzerland as a quiet haven of peace, tolerance, and order. It does not entirely succeed. Never? theless, in recent years the clockwork order of Switzerland has been threatened by a number of referendums in which a clear cleavage between differentlanguage commu? nities can be seen. This is not just a confrontation between the older-language cantons and la Suisse romande but between the Alemanic part of the country and all of the 'Latin' speakers?French, ltalian, and Rhaeto-Romance. The long historical intro? duction leads up to a fairlyspeedy review ofthe results ofthese referendums, revealing, as they predictably do, a greater readiness forinternational engagement in Romandie. The conclusion raises reasons for concern for Switzerland's future. Will Switzerland be Balkanized through a resurgence of ethno-nationalism? Seemingly, and for those of us who love it, not. It is worth recalling that this is a translation of Rostigraben: Das Verhdltniszwischen deutscher und franz osischerSchweiz. Geschichte und Perspektiven (Zurich: NZZ, 2000)?the lumbering German titlegives a hint ofthe underlying problem?and itis a moot point as to whether those who have German would do better with the original; those who are at ease in French might do well to read this version. In any event, it does not 'read translated', and Ursula Gailland's French is a pure delight. Trinity College Dublin David Parris ...

Exploring eurovisions: awareness and knowledge of the European Union in Northern Ireland

The European Union embodies a new tier of governance at the European level and one that increasingly impacts upon many issues of contemporary public policy. Yet are people aware, can they identify with the EU and its activities? Do they know why and which policy areas are regulated at the European level, how decisions are made in Brussels, or do they simply feel alienated from the EU? The links between the individual citizen and the EU integration process actually matter more now than at any time in the EU's short history as public opinion has emerged, as seen through a number of referendums, as a potential constraint to the project of ‘ever closer union’. The issue of public attitudes towards the EU is an increasingly salient concern for member state governments given the pending referenda in at least nine EU member states on the ‘Constitution for Europe’. Yet, the public seem disengaged and the lowest ever turnout (45 per cent) at the European elections in 2004 illustrates a further example of this malaise. This article examines specifically public knowledge of and attitudes towards European integration in Northern Ireland. It reveals a considerable ‘information deficit’ on all things EU related which manifests itself in high levels of alienation, ignorance and uninterest after some 30 years of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union.

Referendums in Western Europe – A Wave of Direct Democracy?

The aim of this article is to analyze the explanations for the increased number of referendums in Western European states. Bogdanor has explained this by the unfreezing of political alignments and institutions. After classifying referendums in 18 Western European states, it will be observed that especially the number of referendums introduced by citizens has increased wherever they are constitutionally provided, that is, in Italy and in Switzerland. Referendums in these two countries contribute most of the overall increase in the number of referendums in Western Europe. Moreover, the number of referendums concerning European integration have increased, also in states that do not have the referendum as an integral part of their political system. When it comes to the unfreezing of institutions, it must be pointed out that after the 1970s there have been no constitutional reforms which would have significantly increased the use of referendums.