Party System and Structure of Party Competition in the Republic of Srpska Cover Image

Страначки систем и структура страначког такмичења у Републици Српској
Party System and Structure of Party Competition in the Republic of Srpska

Author(s): Stefan Vukojević
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Electoral systems, Comparative politics, Sociology of Politics
Published by: Матица српска
Keywords: party system; structure of party competition; moderate pluralism; political parties; Republic of Srpska

Summary/Abstract: In this paper the author analyzes the party system and structure of party competition in the Republic of Srpska, from the first postwar general elections for the National Assembly held in 1996, until the latest elections held in 2014. Based on Giovanni Sartori’s typology of party systems, the author classifies the party system in the Republic of Srpska and analyzes the structure of party competition by using Peter Mair’s theoretical framework. Determination of party system in the Republic of Srpska based on its numerical/ideological typology does not tell us much about the very essence of the party system. By means of Peter Meir’s three criteria, the author analyzes the structure of party competition which fosters a wider perspective of understanding the party system and defines its essence more precisely. Regardless of the various changes to which political parties are exposed, the very essence of the party system is manifested through tendency to gravitate towards stable patterns of party competition.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 161
  • Page Range: 27-38
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Serbian