How the way peace negotiations are conducted affects peace settlement referendums

What is it about?

This articles explores if and how the way peace negotiations are conduced has an influence on whether a peace agreement/settlement is accepted in a referendum. It bridges existing knowledge on peace negotiations with that on what shapes voting behaviours in referendums to establish whether and how certain characteristics of the Annan Plan and Good Friday Agreement negotiations influenced the outcome of their referendums. It finds that whether or not political parties and civil society were included in the negotiations, as well as, the secrecy of the negotiations shaped the referendum experience and results in the two cases.

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Why is it important?

It is the first study to show that the way peace negotiations are conducted shapes the referendum campaign period and, ultimately, whether the public votes for or against a peace agreement.