A Fragile Stability. The Institutional Roots of Low Party System Volatility in the Czech Republic, 1990-2009
A Fragile Stability. The Institutional Roots of Low Party System Volatility in the Czech Republic, 1990-2009

Summary/Abstract: In contrast to much of the rest of Central and Eastern Europe during the first two post-communist decades, Czech party politics was characterized by low levels of volatility. Placing the Czech Republic into broader international context, this article suggests that the stability of the Czech party system derives from a combination of favorable structural conditions and more contingent differences in party strategy and organization. While the structural factors create a stronger likelihood for stability in the Czech Republic than in many of its neighbors, the strong role of more contingent institutional factors means that we cannot assume that the stability will continue, particularly if one of the major parties should suffer a major setback. The Czech example thus broadens our understanding of the interplay between structures and institutions in promoting stability.

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