Referendums have become an undeniably important, and perhaps inescapable, peacemaking tool in contemporary peace processes. As such, understanding the ways in which referendum outcomes are shaped by peace negotiations is vital. Drawing upon two case studies, Amaral presents an empirically rich comparative analysis of the Annan Plan in Cyprus and the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. She examines the negotiations, offering new interview material with key political and civil figures involved in the peace negotiations and referendum campaigns in both cases. Amaral argues that referendums are unsuitable for traditional secretive and exclusionist peace negotiations that fail to engage and educate the public. They rather require inclusive negotiations that involve a broad spectrum of political stakeholders and civil society at the early stages of the process. This peacemaking approach can allow referendums to positively shape societies in conflict and be a crucial step toward lasting peace.
"Amaral's work is rich with information on the negotiation and referendum processes in Cyprus and Northern Ireland, a topic that would be of interest to policy and decision makers, scholars of political science and international relations, and readers interested in conflict resolution and peacebuilding."
Ahmet Sözen, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Cyprus
"To hold (or not) a referendum is undoubtedly one of the most consequential decisions in peace mediations. Amaral provides an extremely well-researched and theoretically nuanced analysis of peace referendums in Northern Ireland and Cyprus. The book sheds light on the merits and pitfalls of direct democracy in conflict-ridden and deeply divided societies and identifies the best practices for mediat
Neophytos Loizides, Professor in International Conflict Analysis, University of Kent
"Innovative, authoritative, and displaying scholarship of the highest quality -students and scholars will want to read this book -policymakers thinking of running a referendum as part of a peace process -should be forced to do so."
