The attraction of the referendum is that it settles political issues in a way that is seen as fair and simple; the will of a majority of the people prevails. But who are the people? Is the 'demos' the 'ethnos'? And what happens if part of the 'people' wants to become independent? Can referendums be used to resolve national and ethnic issues or do these plebiscites make matters worse? The issue of referendums and nationalism raises important constitutional and political issues that have puzzled international and constitutional lawyers and political scientists. Surveying all the referendums on nationalist issues since the French Revolution, Matt Qvortrup analyses when and how referendums can be used to dismantle ethnic and national conflict, as well as when they may worsen deep-seated hostilities. The book provides an overview of recent referendums and analayses their success against a backdrop of the political theories of nationalism.