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Deficits in Democratic Quality? The Effects of Party-System Institutionalisation on the Quality of Democracy in Central Eastern Europe

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Regression of Democracy?

Abstract

This study aims to illustrate the contribution of parties and party systems to the quality of democracy. Does an instable party system make a difference for democratic quality in a country regarded as a consolidated democracy? Does the deficient functioning of parties and party systems influence democratic quality? If so, to what extent? To answer these questions, this article will examine the degree of institutionalisation over the two post-autocratic decades of the eight new, post-socialist democracies in Central Eastern Europe that entered the EU in 2004. I will then discuss whether the performance of the party systems affects the quality of democracy, and which aspects in particular may be affected.

The author thanks Martin Brusis for the invaluable exchange and three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.

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  1. Marianne Kneuer
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Kneuer, M. (2011). Deficits in Democratic Quality? The Effects of Party-System Institutionalisation on the Quality of Democracy in Central Eastern Europe. In: Erdmann, G., Kneuer, M. (eds) Regression of Democracy?. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-531-93302-3_6

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