Staging Democracy: South Vietnam's 1955 Referendum to Depose Bao Dai*

Chapman, Jessica M.

doi:10.1111/j.1467-7709.2006.00573.x

Cited by 21 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…On 24 October 1955 Jean Baptiste Ngô Đình Diệm, the first president of South Vietnam, hailed the result of the referendum of the previous day. The plebiscite in which the people ‘took such an enthusiastic part’, he argued, ‘constitutes an approval of the policies pursued’ (Chapman 2006: 380). This ‘approval’ was echoed by the US government: ‘The Department of State is gratified that according to reports the referendum was conducted in such an orderly and efficient manner and that the people of Viet-Nam have made their choice unmistakably clear’ (Brownell 1963: 158).…”

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confidence: 99%

Explaining the Paradox of Plebiscites

2018

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Recent referendums show that autocratic regimes consult voters even if the outcome is a foregone conclusion. They have been doing so with increasing frequency since Napoleon consulted French citizens in 1800. Why and when do dictatorial regimes hold referendums they are certain they will win? Analysing the 162 referendums held in autocratic and non-free states in the period 1800–2012, the article shows that referendums with a 99% yes-vote tend to occur in autocracies with high ethnic fractionalization and, in part, in sultanistic (tinpot or tyrannical) regimes, but generally not in communist (totalitarian) states. An explanation is proposed for this variation.

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confidence: 99%