| ID | 111576 |
| Title Proper | Phantom referendums in Phantom states |
| Other Title Information | meaningless farce or a bridge to reality? |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Scheindlin, Dahlia |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This study examines the widespread use of referendums in entities that have declared statehood unilaterally but are not generally recognized or accepted as sovereign entities. Referendums in this situation pose a problem: to the voters, they are sufficiently a meaningful political process to warrant participation. Yet, to outsiders-including actors who may have large influence over whether the referendum's political goal can be implemented-the entire process may be meaningless. This article argues that the referendum process is not meaningless but symbolic: It fills the space between actual and desired political reality for the entities who vote. Drawing on referendum experiences in seven phantom states, the research shows that the referendums play a critical role in articulating political intentions, staking out a self-determination or sovereignty claim, displaying democratic legitimacy and forging international divisions and coalitions. Even not holding a referendum has a symbolic meaning regarding the political goals of an incomplete entity. I argue that not only can referendums signal these meanings but they can contribute to making political goals increasingly real. |
| `In' analytical Note | Nationalism and Ethnic Politics Vol. 18, No.1; Jan-Mar 2012: p.65-87 |
| Journal Source | Nationalism and Ethnic Politics Vol. 18, No.1; Jan-Mar 2012: p.65-87 |
| Key Words | Referendums ; Political Goal ; Vote ; Democratic Legitimacy |