Review
The success of the current third wave of democracy is interlinked with the performance and survival of the world's democratic presidential systems. If these new presidential systems are to become established democracies that are capable of resolving their problems in an effective manner and maintaining their democratic status into the 21st century, they need to provide their presidents with legislative majorities or near-majorities on a relatively consistent basis. Author Mark Jones' goal is to make the relationship between specific electoral laws and the survival of presidential democracy completely transparent. The electoral laws employed by a presidential system have a prominent effect on a system's ability to provide the president with this level of support. These laws are hence vital to the success and (in many cases) the survival of presidential democracies throughout the world. In turn, the fate of these presidential democracies will determine whether or not this current third wave of democracy continues in full force, or ebbs as many presidential systems lapse into authoritarian rule. Jones' conclusion, that presidential systems provide a viable form of democratic government, and therefore a realistic democratic alternatives to a parliamentary system, is one, therefore, that must be given thoughtful consideration. Electoral Laws And The Survival Of Presidential Democracies is important reading, especially in view of the current national dialogue regarding the difficulties thrown up by the two established political parties (Republicans and Democrats) to the establishment of third party candidates on presidential ballots in the various states. -- Midwest Book Review
Product Description
Addresses the conditions necessary for the survival of democratic presidential systems, arguing that the electoral laws employed by such systems are intricately linked to the longevity of democracy. The author reviews relevant literature and provides an empirical analysis of Latin American systems.
