Parliamentary Democracy in Lithuania, 1920–1927: Its Power and Limits
Parliamentary Democracy in Lithuania, 1920–1927: Its Power and Limits

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the preconditions for the formation and functioning of the parliamentary system in interwar Lithuania. It delves into the reasons behind the short duration of parliamentary democracy, highlighting its main accomplishments and shortcomings, framed in the context of political ‘power’ and ‘limits’. The analysis suggests that post-First World War ideological divisions and political social radicalism prevented the formation of enduring political coalitions. One of the notable features of the parliamentary system was an overly optimistic perception of its inherent benefits. Lithuanian society placed an unwavering trust in the fairness of the legislature and its ability to govern the country by representing all societal factions, especially those which previously had no political rights. Parliamentarianism was seen as the primary safeguard of democracy, believed to be able to resolve any crises that the country faced. As a result of these and other circumstances discussed in this article, the development of parliamentary democracy came to an end in the latter half of the 1920s.

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