Cleavages, Parties, and Voters - (Political Parties in Context) by Georgi Karasimeonov (Hardcover)

About the Book

This collection of essays summarizes one of the most fascinating developments of contemporary history: the peaceful revolution of the Central European nations from a long period of authoritarian regimes to Western democracy. It looks at the pre-Communist history of political parties and then examines the extent to which party politics has changed in the post-Cold War world.

After reviewing the various theories of cleavage and considering the interrelationships among cleavages, parties, and voters, 15 essays by indigenous scholars provide general historical background and identify specific new cleavages in each nation, and trace the activities of the more important parties in each nation. Voter response to the new political situation and parties is analyzed.

Book Synopsis

Examines the backgrounds and current development of political parties in post-Cold War Central Europe.

Review Quotes

?[A] fresh study that digs deep into cleavage formation, party responses, and voter alignment in East and Central Europe....For Students and scholars of social or political change in East and Central Europe, this text should not be missed.?-Perspectives on Political Science

"ÝA¨ fresh study that digs deep into cleavage formation, party responses, and voter alignment in East and Central Europe....For Students and scholars of social or political change in East and Central Europe, this text should not be missed."-Perspectives on Political Science

"[A] fresh study that digs deep into cleavage formation, party responses, and voter alignment in East and Central Europe....For Students and scholars of social or political change in East and Central Europe, this text should not be missed."-Perspectives on Political Science

About the Author

KAY LAWSON is Professor of Science at San Francisco State University and the Sorbonne./e Among her earlier publications is How Political Parties Work(Praeger, 1994).

ANDREA RÓMMELE is a political scientist with the University of Mannheim.

GEORGI KARASIMEONOV is Professor of Political Science at Sofia University in Bulgaria.