Comparing Independence Referendums

Why Do Some States Accept Them while Others Do Not

Bibliographic Data

ID3948875
AuthorsEnrique Sánchez Sánchez (Universidad Pablo de Olavide), E Sánchez (0000-0003-2549-322X, Universidad Pablo de Olavide), Jean-Baptiste Harguindéguy (0000-0003-1151-3007, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, corresponding author), Alberto Sandoval Sánchez (0000-0002-4246-4132, Universidad a Distancia de Madrid, Madrid Spain), Alistair Cole (0000-0002-9222-0523, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China)
Year2023
Volume28
Issue5
Pages1868-1891
Publication date2023-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeopolitics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1465-0045 • E-ISSN: 1557-3028
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14650045.2022.2082960
OpenAlexW4281635109
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited51

This article aims to explain why some central governments accept to hold independence referendums while others refuse to do so. For this purpose, this investigation assesses a series of seven hypotheses on 131 international cases of secession consultations from 1944 to 2021 extracted from an updated version of the Contested sovereignty dataset. The results of the logistic regression model identify four relevant variables. In the first place, the competition/proximity model and the time variable explain the support brought by central governments for the organisation of self-determination referendums. Additionally, the study shows that the quality of democracy influences the decision to allow minorities to hold independence consultations. Finally, and with a lower level of significance, it is also argued that periods of previous violence incite host state authorities to agree to hold self-determination referendums

Economics · Political economy · Political science · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Judicial and Constitutional Studies · Mathematics · Political Systems and Governance

Tools

Open DOI