Party Systems in East Central Europe

By (author) Ladislav Cabada, Vít Hloušek, Petr Jurek

Publication date:

23 January 2014

Length of book:

220 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9780739182765

Party Systems in East Central Europe analyzes the formation of political parties in the nations of this region. In the first part, the authors concentrate on the key periods and turning points in this development, connecting them with the democratization of the countries in the region in the last third of the nineteenth century. This includes a look at the period before World War I, between the wars, and particularly in the times after the fall of the communist regimes. The analysis focuses chiefly on the ideological background that gave way to the rise of political parties in the region. In relation to this, the authors base their writing mainly on the socio-political theory of Stein Rokkan.

The second part of the book is a political analysis of the key aspects related to party politics. First, the authors examine the ties of political parties to broad social processes, using the classic theories of Giovanni Sartori and Stein Rokkan. Next, they continue with the analysis of the operation of parties within governments, with a special focus on the creation of coalition governments, functioning of coalitions and coalition governance. Last, some defects are reflected upon, as well as unfinished processes related to the fast establishment of political parties in the region, e.g., absence of firm links with social groups, high volatility, instability of parties, etc.
Ladislav Cabada, Vít Hloušek, and Petr Jurek have written an excellent introduction to the party systems of East Central Europe. Accessible, comprehensive, and up-to-date, this book should find a broad readership among scholars and students of East Central European politics alike.