Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-six Countries

Arend Lijphart

Yale University Press, 1999 - Political Science - 351 pages

Table of Contents Preface 1 Introduction 1 2 The Westminster Model of Democracy 9 3 The Consensus Model of Democracy 31 4 Thirty-Six Democracies 48 5 Party Systems: Two-Party and Multiparty Patterns 62 6 Cabinets: Concentration Versus Sharing of Executive Power 90 7 Executive-Legislative Relations: Patterns of Dominance and Balance of Power 116 8 Electoral Systems: Majority and Plurality Methods Versus Proportional Representation 143 9 Interest Groups: Pluralism Versus Corporatism 171 10 Division of Power: The Federal-Unitary and Centralized-Decentralized Contrasts 185 11 Parliaments and Congresses: Concentration Versus Division of Legislative Power 200 12 Constitutions: Amendment Procedures and Judicial Review 216 13 Central Banks: Independence Versus Dependence 232 14 The Two-Dimensional Conceptual Map of Democracy 243 15 Macro-Economic Management and the Control of Violence: Does Consensus Democracy Make a Difference? 258 16 The Quality of Democracy and a "Kinder, Gentler" Democracy: Consensus Democracy Makes a Difference 275 17 Conclusions and Recommendations 301 App. A Two Dimensions and Ten Basic Variables, 1945-96 and 1971-96 311 App. B Alternative Measure of Multipartism, Cabinet Composition, and Disproportionality, 1945-96 and 1971-96 315 References 317 Index.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - Fledgist - LibraryThing

Updated version of major textbook in comparative politics. This is an important basic text for anyone seeking to understand how democratic systems work.

Contents

• 1 Introduction: 1
• 2 The Westminster Model of Democracy: 9
• 3 The Consensus Model of Democracy: 31
• 4 ThirtySix Democracies: 48
• TwoParty and Multiparty Patterns: 62
• Concentration Versus Sharing of Executive Power: 90
• Patterns of Dominance and Balance of Power: 116
• Majority and Plurality Methods Versus Proportional Representation: 143
• Pluralism Versus Corporatism: 171
• The FederalUnitary and CentralizedDecentralized Contrasts: 185
• Concentration Versus Division of Legislative Power: 200
• Amendment Procedures and Judicial Review: 216
• Independence Versus Dependence: 232
• 14 The TwoDimensional Conceptual Map of Democracy: 243
• Does Consensus Democracy Make a Difference?: 258
• Consensus Democracy Makes a Difference: 275
• 17 Conclusions and Recommendations: 301
• Appendix A Two Dimensions and Ten Basic Variables 194596 and 197196: 311
• Appendix B Alternative Measure of Multipartism Cabinet Composition and Disproportionality 194596 and 197196: 315
• References: 317
• Index: 341

Bibliographic information

• Title: Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-six Countries
• Author: Arend Lijphart
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Yale University Press, 1999
• ISBN: 0300078935, 9780300078930
• Length: 351 pages
• Subjects: Political Science / Reference