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Proposals for power-sharing
constitutions remain controversial, as highlighted by current
debates in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Sudan.
This book updates and refines the
theory of consociationalism, taking account of the flood of
contemporary innovations in power-sharing institutions that have
occurred worldwide. The book classifies and compares four types
of political institutions: the electoral system, parliamentary
or presidential executives, unitary or federal states, and the
structure and independence of the mass media. The study tests
the potential advantages and disadvantages of each of these
institutions for democratic governance. Cross-national
time-series data concerning trends in democracy are analyzed for
all countries worldwide since the early 1970s. Chapters are
enriched by comparing detailed case studies. The mixed-method
research design illuminates the underlying causal mechanisms by
examining historical developments and processes of institutional
change within particular nations and regions. The conclusion
draws together the results and the practical lessons for
policymakers.
Driving Democracy is designed for those interested in
international development, comparative politics, political
behavior and institutions, electoral studies and voting
behavior, political parties, public opinion, political
sociology, political psychology, sociology, and democratization.
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