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.

"For Westerners traveling through East Central Europe (ECE) in the immediate post-1989 days, the explosion of party politics was altogether amazing and unexpected.  With the possible exception of inter-war Czechoslovakia, all post-1920 states suffered under autocratic or quasi-fascist rule, Nazi occupation or control, and, finally, Communist rule.  Why, with some exceptions, was the transition to democratic party politics so rapid?  A quarter century on, how can these party systems be best understood?  The authors provide a valuable, timely, data-rich, and theoretically based guide to post-1989 party systems in ECE EU member states.  Most valuable, the authors analyze the historical context from the 19th century through 1989.  Key issues are analyzed (e.g., party competition, parties and government, and mass mobilization).  . . . Conclusions (e.g., no precise “post-communist” trend, ECE parties do govern competently, and popular participation is low) are carefully presented.  Key topics (e.g., nationalistic populism) are acknowledged; others (e.g., impact of Western systems and the EU) are noted.  Drawing heavily on political science literature, this work is dense and technical in presentation.  Best suited for specialists. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate and research collections" - CHOICE