Oxford University Press Deliberative Peace Referendums (Oxford Comparative Constitutionalism)

Review Ambitious, precisely argued, comprehensive, and important, Levy, O'Flynn and Kong combine hard-headed realism about the difficulties of deliberating across long-standing and deep divisions in post-conflict contexts (including indigenous-settler relations), with the equally realistic view that the alternatives to deliberative democracy are almost always worse. Their suggestions for 'Deliberative Peace Referendums' provide politically attractive and practical means for generating inclusion, stability, and political legitimacy in post-conflict political transitions. A must-read for deliberative democrats focused on constitution-making as well as for practitioners focused on post-conflict political transitions. ― Mark E Warren, Harold and Dorrie Merilees Chair in the Study of Democracy, The University of British ColumbiaThis impressive book boldly takes deliberative democracy into territory in which it has usually not dared to go. The authors make a strong and nuanced case for the deliberative peace referendum in conflict societies. If properly designed, it has the potential to help produce constitutional settlements that are enduring even in conflict societies racked with controversy about group sovereignty, succession and indigenous settler rights. In the process of presenting their case, the authors make significant contributions to the theory and practice of deliberative democracy, referendums, and peace processes generally. ― Dennis F Thompson, Alfred North Whitehead Professor Emeritus Harvard University and author of Just Elections: Creating a Fair Electoral Process in the United StatesThis ground-breaking study shows how deliberative peace referendums (DPRs) can help find common ground in peace processes - contexts where democratic deliberation is urgently needed and yet hard to succeed. The authors convincingly argue that DPRs can avoid problems of 'ordinary' peace referendums and thus help achieve more sustainable peace settlements. ― Maija Setälä, Professor in Political Science, University of Turku Product Description Peace referendums', which seek to manage conflict between warring groups, are increasingly common. Yet they remain erratic forces―liable as often to aggravate as to resolve tensions. This book argues that, despite their risks, referendums can play useful roles amid armed conflict. Drawing on a distinctive combination of the fields of deliberative democracy, constitutional theory and conflict studies, and relying on comparative examples (eg, from Algeria, Colombia, New Caledonia, Northern Ireland, Papua New Guinea, and South Africa), the book shows how peace referendums can fulfil their promise as genuine tools of conflict management. About the Author Ron Levy, Associate Professor of Law, Australian National University College of Law, Ian O'Flynn, Senior Lecturer in Political Theory, Newcastle University, Hoi L. Kong, UBC Professor in Constitutional Law, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia