Stabilising Fragile Democracies: New Party Systems in Southern and Eastern Europe

by Lewis,Paul; Lewis,Paul

• ISBN13: 9780415118026
• ISBN10: 0415118026
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1995-12-18
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Political Parties and the Transition to Democracyprovides a systematic comparison of the democratic transitions in both Eastern and Southern Europe. Political Parties often play a crucial role in the process of democratization and the establishment of new parliamentary democracies. They often form as a result of opposition to a previous authoritarian regime and their performance during the transition to democracy can give a good indication as to the nature of, and prospects for, the new democracy. Four main themes concerning the role of parties are examined - "coping with the past" (party identities and inheritances); the formation and performance of new democratic political elites; parties and alliances/coalitions; and their electoral behavior. These themes are discussed in comparative perspective with the aid of four case studies from both Southern and Eastern Europe. The countries covered include Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria. Democratization is a very complex process because it operates on many levels; By studying political parties this book focuses on an area that links many of the levels.Political Parties and the Transition of Democracymakes sense of democratization and the role of parties in that process.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Stabilising Fragile Democracies and Party System Development

Party Inheritance and Party Identities

From Nomenclature to Clientura: The Emergence of New Party Systems in East-Central Europe

Structuring the New Party Systems after the Dictatorship: Coalitions, Alliances, Fusions and Splits during the Transition and Post Transition Stages

Parties and Electoral Choices in East-Central Europe

Italy's Postwar Transition in Contemporary Perspective

The Emergence of New Party Systems and Transitions to Democracy: Spain in Comparative Perspective

Securing Democracy in Post-Authoritarian Greece: the Role of Political Parties

The Revenge of HIstory: The Portugese, Spanish and Hungarian Transitions - some comparisons

The Emergence of New Party systems and Transitions to Democracy: Romania and Portugal compared

The Formation of Political Parties in Post-Communist Poland

Bulgaria's New Party System

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