Description
Book SynopsisSocial movements formed in response to austerity measures have played an increasingly important role in referendums. The book uses unique case studies to illustrate the ways the social movements have affected the referendums' dynamic and results. It also addresses the way in which participation from below has had a transformative impact.
Trade Review"This timely and original book bridges the gap between social movement studies and research on direct democracy. Donatella della Porta and her co-authors forcefully show how social movements shape the dynamics of referendum campaigns in times of economic and political crises." Swen Hutter, European University Institute
"In this supremely readable and interesting book, Donatella della Porta, the foremost scholar of social movements, and her colleagues address the role of `referendums from below’, a timely and yet surprisingly understudied phenomenon. The book provides a very valuable contribution to the literature on direct democracy as well as an important contribution to political science." Matt Qvortrup, Coventry University
Table of ContentsReferendums from below: an introduction The context of the referendums from below: a tale of three crises The organisational strategies of movements in referendums from below Framing strategies in referendums from below Expanding the comparison: the water referendum in Italy Referendums from below: some reflections
