Articles by Ruben Van Severen

October 1, 2025

Why disillusioned citizens may back referendums in theory but not in practice

Ruben Van Severen
Ruben Van Severen shows why politically cynical citizens often praise the idea of referendums, but are not necessarily enthusiastic when they take place. Drawing on research in Flanders, he shows how poor topic choice can turn a tool meant to reconnect disillusioned citizens into one that risks widening the gap
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photograph of Ruben Van Severen
Ruben Van Severen
PhD Candidate in Psychology, Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University

Ruben studies citizen preferences for alternative decision-making models other than representative democracy.

His research investigates what these preferences are and the psychological factors that shape them, such as political cynicism and ideological beliefs.

Ruben's work has appeared in various journals including European Journal of Political Research, Policy Studies, Political Research Exchange and Social Psychology.

He is part of a large-scale project in Flanders on democratic innovations at the local level.

@VanSeverenRuben

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Advancing Political Science
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