Democracy and party systems

Spiess, Clemens:
Democracy and party systems in developing countries : a comparative study of India and South Africa / Clemens Spiess. - London ; Routledge, 2009. - xiii, 237 S. - (Routledge advances in South Asian studies ; 12)
ISBN 978-0-415-46809-1 / 0-415-46809-4 (Hardback)
£ 85,00

Beschreibung
This book examines and compares the emergence, development and impact of the party systems in post-colonial India and post-apartheid South Africa. It sheds light on the crucial role and function of party systems in democratising developing countries.
   Although often described as political miracles or empirical anomalies, both countries actually figure prominently in party system and democratic theory due to their regional importance and the important role the party system plays in their political trajectory. The author employs a diachronic comparison of the two party systems, with a distinct focus on the role of party agency in the shaping and maintenance of one-party-dominance and on the role of the two party systems as independent variables. Highlighting the similarities and differences between the two systems, he examines whether the lessons learned from the Indian experience in terms of the function and effects of the country’s post-independent party system and the role of party agency therein are applicable to South Africa. [Verlagsinformation]

Inhalt
List of Illustrations. vi
List of Abbreviations. ix
Acknowledgements. xi
Preface. xii
Introduction. 1
1. One-Party-Dominance in Changing Societies: Conceptual, Methodological and Theoretical Aspects of the Study. 9
2. The Regional Context. 31
3. The 'Achievement' of One-Party-Dominance in India and South Africa: Actors, Structures and Institutions. 86
4. Maintenance of One-Party-Dominance in India and South Africa: Mechanisms of Control and Competition. 117
5. Effects and Functions of One-Party-Dominance in India and South Africa. 150
6. Comparison and Conclusion: Lessons and Prospects. 185
Notes. 197
Bibliography. 213
Index. 233

Autor
Clemens Spiess is lecturer at the South Asia Institute, Department of Political Science at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Prior to this appointment, he was Country Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation in New Delhi, India. His research interest lies in the field of comparative politics, party politics, the politics of South Asia and the politics of Southern Africa, democratic theory and practice, development policy and international relations. Profil-Seite.

Quellen: Routledge; Amazon (Deutschland); WorldCat; Libris Websök.