The Effects of Electoral System Design in the Non-Territorial Autonomies of Central and Southeast Europe Cover Image

A választási rendszerek hatásai a közép- és délkelet-európai személyi elvű kisebbségi autonómiákban
The Effects of Electoral System Design in the Non-Territorial Autonomies of Central and Southeast Europe

Author(s): Balázs Dobos
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations
Published by: Lucidus Kiadó

Summary/Abstract: The paper was designed to address and highlight the question of whether and how some of the main functions of elections can be conceptualized and understood in special minority contexts. Concerning the five selected non-territorial autonomy regimes of Central and Southeast Europe (Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia), very little research has been carried out to explore the key and closely intertwined features and effects of minority elections on intra-community dynamics and voters’ behaviour such as special voter registration, electoral formula (proportionality/disproportionality), ballot structure, voter turnout, competitiveness, and electoral volatility – research that would take into account the sensitive nature of ethnic data and the relatively highlevel cultural-linguistic assimilation, too. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to fill this gap at least in part by identifying and examining their operation in practice, while a more in-depth analysis of the important elements of such processes needs further research. Taken together, these factors have a crucial influence not only on the public participation of the minority groups concerned, but on their future prospects as well.

  • Issue Year: 27/2018
  • Issue No: 2-3
  • Page Range: 7-39
  • Page Count: 33
  • Language: Hungarian