Suchergebnisse

Thomas Lancaster offers an insightful and profound discussion on the necessity of finding appropriate models in the study of newly evolving party systems in Europe. His commentary broadens, rather nicely, the scope and intent of my essay. He recognizes a major problem in the development of a broad body of comparative party systems literature; i.e., finding equilibrium between the generalities of broad-gauged theoretical models and the particulars of in-depth case studies. Professor Lancaster also recognizes another serious problem revolving around the capacity of models to answer and explain fully the nuances of each general context, in our case democratizing party systems in Eastern and Central Europe. While I was concerned primarily with the application of West European party systems models in the study of inchoate party systems of Central and East Europe, he takes my study a step further and suggests we look at not only the analytical value of the seminal West European party systems models, but also consider the application of theoretical frameworks employed in democratic transitions in European polities; e.g., Spain's transition to democracy. Generally, Professor Lancaster anticipates the potential scope and depth of the academic debate that will evolve over the analytical value and utility of different types of models for the understanding of developing party systems in Central and Eastern Europe.

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