Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
List of Tables Preface PART I: ELECTORAL SYSTEMS IN POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE Electoral Institutions and Post-Communist Transition: Theoretical Considerations An Overview of Post-Communist Electoral Systems: Design and Measurement PART II: ELECTORAL SYSTEMS AND VOTERS Electoral Participation Representational Inclusion PART III: ELECTORAL SYSTEMS AND PARTIES Party System Size and Shape Party System Stability and Change Conclusion Appendix A: Summary Election Results for 20 Post-Communist States Appendix B: Data Sources Appendix C: Data on Party System Evolution Bibliography
Synopsis
Electoral Systems and Political Transformation in Post-Communist Europe assesses the influence of electoral systems on political change in 20 post-communist European states. The main finding is that electoral institutions have systematic effects on the formation of representative structures. 'Party-enabling' aspects of electoral laws such as list proportional representation tend to foster popular inclusion in politics and institutionalized party systems, whereas 'politician-enabling' rules such as single-member districts and ballots that allow voters to select individuals often favour the development of weakly structured systems and high levels of popular exclusion from the representative process.