ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on nationwide referendums. Some scholars or institutes, such as the Initiative and Referendum Institute, prefer to keep the dual reference to "referendums and initiatives", with the latter indicating consultations initiated by popular minorities. The high diversity of its forms, in law and in practice, is actually the main reason why a global theory of referendums is so difficult to formulate. Thus, the variety of meanings attached to the word "plebiscite" in academic literature, as well as in national traditions, makes its use to qualify these personalized referendums rather problematic. Whether or not referendums are institutionalized in legal texts, be they in a constitution or a specific referendum act, gives a first indication of their significance in the world. Countries which have provisions for minority initiated referendums always dedicate it a large field of intervention, either on legislative or constitutional matters.
