Abstract
Regime type has an impact on the design and reform of electoral systems, as revealed by a classification of the 28 former communist states as authoritarian, semi-authoritarian, and democratic regimes and a comparison of their electoral arrangements. From 1989 to the end of 2005, the selection of electoral rules in the post-communist polities conformed to the world-wide trend of more permissive electoral systems over time, although the different regime types embraced diverse electoral design strategies. Democratic and semi-authoritarian regimes adopted election rules in favour of inclusive PR, generous district magnitudes and assembly size. Authoritarian regimes made use of restrictive majoritarian formulas to constrain the political process. As in the rest of the world during the third wave of democratization, ‘electoral democracy’ emerged as an important legitimating criterion for the post-communist political systems, but the rules for contestation were devised in very different ways to facilitate or constrain political competition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
