Electoral Systems and Political Transformation in Post-Communist Europe (One Europe or Several?)

Sarah Birch assesses the impact of electoral system design on political change in post-communist Europe. Since the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe between 1989 and 1991, virtually all the states in the region have undertaken significant electoral reform. This study traces the multiple links between the evolution of electoral systems and political change and establishes patterns in the effects of electoral system design on post-communist developments. Electoral Systems and Political Transformation in Post-Communist Europe assesses the influence of electoral systems on political change in twenty post-communist European states between 1990 and 2002. In examining the effects of institutional structures, it is a companion volume to the collective monograph on their causes entitled Embodying Democracy: Electoral System Design in Post-Communist Europe (Palgrave Macmillan 2002). Changing patterns of electoral linkage between representatives and citizens are a central feature of political transformation in the post-communist region, and electoral system design plays a key role in shaping these patterns. Sarah Birch finds that even in the early stages of democratization, electoral institutions have systematic effects that contribute in important ways to 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 Electoral Systems And Political Transformation In Post Communist Europe Assesses The Influence Of Electoral Systems On Political Change In Twenty Post-communist European States Between 1990 And 2002. In Examining The Effects Of Institutional Structures, It Is A Companion Volume To The Collective Monograph On Their Causes Entitled Embodying Democracy: Electoral System Design In Post-communist Europe (palgrave Macmillan 2002).--jacket. Electoral Systems In Post-communist Europe -- Electoral Systems And Post-communist Transition -- An Overview Of Post-communist Electoral Systems: Design And Measurement -- Electoral Systems And Voters -- Electoral Participation -- Representational Inclusion -- Electoral Systems And Parties -- Party Systems Size And Shape -- Party System Stability And Change -- Conclusion -- Summary Election Results For 20 Post-communist States -- Data On Party System Evolution. Sarah Birch. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 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.