This survey briefly examines the EU accession process for the countries included in this collection and considers the distinctive features of this set of referendums, particularly the comparatively high levels of Yes vote and low levels of turnout. It argues that, although they represent a distinctive sub-type of European referendum, they can be used as a basis to draw at least tentative comparative and theoretical conclusions. Consequently, it then posits causal models that both provide an analytical framework for this collection and, more broadly, attempt to explain the results and turnout in these and, potentially, other (European) referendums.
AS was the lead author of this item, which was awarded the Vincent Wright memorial prize for best article in the journal that year. The paper sets out an analytical framework for using EU accession referendums in post-communist states as a basis for comparative and theoretical research on referendums. In doing so, it posits causal models for explaining both referendum result and turnout, that makes a ground breaking contribution in moving forward the debate on the study of referendums on European issues. In doing it seeks to explain under what circumstances such referendums can be determined by reference to broader attitudes towards European integration and under which circumstances they reflect the cues provided by influential social and political actors.