Plebiscitary Agenda-Setting and Party Strategies

Theoretical Considerations and Evidence from Austria

Bibliographic Data

ID6315906
AuthorsWolfgang C Müller (0000-0001-9085-9465, corresponding author)
Year1999
Volume5
Issue3
Pages303-315
Publication date1999-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueParty Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-0688 • E-ISSN: 1460-3683
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1354068899005003003
OpenAlexW1976094687
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited6

This article explores party strategies in situations where a plebiscitary instrument - the initiative - allows citizens to get a bill on the agenda of parliament. The initiative is a unique means for citizens and opposition parties to attract public attention to an issue both in its pre-parliamentary and parliamentary phases. This article identifies the requirements for an initiative to be successful in terms of building new electoral alliances. While the characteristics of the issue are crucial, the instrument of the initiative, as distinct from the issue itself, has the potential to have an impact on the processes of issue competition and opinion formation. The Austrian experiences make clear how the instrument of the initiative has an in-built advantage for the party employing it

Competition (biology · Opposition (politics · Parliament · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Public relations · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Public Administration

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