Critics of referendums often lament that big money may buy success at the ballot box. But spending by interest groups may also be informative for citizens. This can only happen, however, if the financing of referendum campaigns is regulated. This book offers an overview of these regulations and presents research on their effects.

About the Author(s)

By Karin Gilland Lutz and Simon Hug

KARIN GILLAND LUTZ is Publications Manager at the Centre for Comparative and International Studies, ETH Zrich, Switzerland. Her recent research concerns the policy effects of direct democracy.

SIMON HUG is Professor of Political Science, University of Geneva, Switzerland. His research deals with the effects of political institutions, including referendums, on policy outcomes and political conflict.

Table of Contents

Introduction--K.Gilland Lutz &--S.Hug * Campaign Spending and Ballot Measures--T.Stratmann
* Regulating Campaign Finance in Canadian Referendums and Initiatives--R.Johnston * US States--D.Smith * Campaign Financing in Danish Referendums--S.Binzer Hobolt * Financing Referendums and Initiatives in the Baltic States--D.Auers, J.Ruus &--A.Krupavicius * The Financing of Referendum Campaigns in France--F.Hamon * Referendums and Spending in Ireland--K.Gilland Lutz * Financing Referendum Campaigns in Italy--R.Ricci * Financing Referendum Campaigns in Spain--C.Closa Montero &--F.Carbonell Bellolio * Referendum Campaign Regulations in Switzerland--U.Serdlt * Sledgehammers and Nuts? Regulating Referendums in the UK--N.Singh Ghaleigh * Referendum Campaign Regulations in Europe and Latin America--T.Zellweger, U.Serdlt, A.ZDA and I.Renfer * Conclusion--K.Gilland Lutz &--S.Hug