Springer Series in Electoral Politics – serie

This book analyzes the threshold candidates of immigrant background need to overcome to run for legislative office. Understanding whether political parties are able to adapt their selection criteria helps to assess their ability to respond to the underrepresentation of citizens of immigrant origin in parliament.Although Germany’s ethnic diversity is on a steady rise, citizens of immigrant origin remain descriptively underrepresented. Despite the pivotal role the intra-party candidate selection plays in shaping who runs for election, the question of how candidates of immigrant background fare in political parties’ candidate selection in comparison to native-born candidates remained a blind spot of research. Therefore, the author presents in-depth empirical evidence on the selection of candidates of immigrant background in German political parties.The book addresses scholars of political science interested in electoral studiesas well as policy-makers and party officials interested in a balanced representation of their political representatives.

This book analyzes the threshold candidates of immigrant background need to overcome to run for legislative office. Understanding whether political parties are able to adapt their selection criteria helps to assess their ability to respond to the underrepresentation of citizens of immigrant origin in parliament.Although Germany’s ethnic diversity is on a steady rise, citizens of immigrant origin remain descriptively underrepresented. Despite the pivotal role the intra-party candidate selection plays in shaping who runs for election, the question of how candidates of immigrant background fare in political parties’ candidate selection in comparison to native-born candidates remained a blind spot of research. Therefore, the author presents in-depth empirical evidence on the selection of candidates of immigrant background in German political parties.The book addresses scholars of political science interested in electoral studiesas well as policy-makers and party officials interested in a balanced representation of their political representatives.

In light of the growing support for populist political actors, this book examines political party behavior and political positions towards the integration process in the European Union. It explores the correlation between eurosceptic success and mainstream party behavior.Presenting both an indepth empirical investigation of electoral campaigns and the politics of party leaders, as well as applying various theoretical models, the author analyses different eurosceptical trends and circumstances and dynamics of eurosceptic contagion. In particular, he addresses the following questions: Do Europe's mainstream parties maintain their standard discourse and policy positions unaltered, or are they forced to qualify their typical pro-integration stances when eurosceptic challengers are successful at the ballot box? Are some parties or party systems more susceptible to eurosceptic “contagion” than others? These are just some of the timely questions thatare examined by the author.The book argues that political parties at the ideological center of their party systems use the electoral success of eurosceptic parties as indications of changes in the public’s political preferences. In order to avoid losing voters to these parties, moderate parties will qualify their positions on the issue of EU integration. The author explores these dynamics and discusses their implications for the future of European integration.

In light of the growing support for populist political actors, this book examines political party behavior and political positions towards the integration process in the European Union. It explores the correlation between eurosceptic success and mainstream party behavior.Presenting both an indepth empirical investigation of electoral campaigns and the politics of party leaders, as well as applying various theoretical models, the author analyses different eurosceptical trends and circumstances and dynamics of eurosceptic contagion. In particular, he addresses the following questions: Do Europe's mainstream parties maintain their standard discourse and policy positions unaltered, or are they forced to qualify their typical pro-integration stances when eurosceptic challengers are successful at the ballot box? Are some parties or party systems more susceptible to eurosceptic “contagion” than others? These are just some of the timely questions thatare examined by the author.The book argues that political parties at the ideological center of their party systems use the electoral success of eurosceptic parties as indications of changes in the public’s political preferences. In order to avoid losing voters to these parties, moderate parties will qualify their positions on the issue of EU integration. The author explores these dynamics and discusses their implications for the future of European integration.

This book examines the populist communication of mainstream parties in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain. For a long time, populist and radical right parties have been the main subject of investigation in academic research. Yet, how mainstream parties react to the rise of such actors is less known. Scholars assume a “populist Zeitgeist”, a populist contagion claiming that the political mainstream actively engages in populist and nativist discourses. The author tests this widespread assumption analyzing whether center-left and center-right mainstream parties adopt populist messages, as well as content related to the leftist and right-wing host ideologies of populist actors. Therefore, this book is a must-read for scholars, students, and researchers of political science and electoral studies, as well as policy-makers and practitioners interested in a better understanding of populism and populist communication.

This book examines the populist communication of mainstream parties in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Spain. For a long time, populist and radical right parties have been the main subject of investigation in academic research. Yet, how mainstream parties react to the rise of such actors is less known. Scholars assume a “populist Zeitgeist”, a populist contagion claiming that the political mainstream actively engages in populist and nativist discourses. The author tests this widespread assumption analyzing whether center-left and center-right mainstream parties adopt populist messages, as well as content related to the leftist and right-wing host ideologies of populist actors. Therefore, this book is a must-read for scholars, students, and researchers of political science and electoral studies, as well as policy-makers and practitioners interested in a better understanding of populism and populist communication.

This book examines the increasing territorialisation of party competition and the relaxation of unitarian rule through devolution, presenting a long-term analysis of electoral developments in the United Kingdom since the end of the Second World War. Subsequently, the book looks into the undermining of the traditional majoritarian mode of British government as a result. It analyzes the significant role of these long-term developments and their detrimental effect on the parliament’s ability to resolve issues like the Scottish Independence Referendum or the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, and it addresses their underlying causes. The author additionally reconnects these electoral developments to the changing nature of devolution and shows how the deepening of devolution accelerates the negative electoral consequences for the British system of government. Finally, the book shows why the British Labour Party is turning more and more into a long-term minority party as a result of these developments. The book is a must-read for scholars, students and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of comparative politics and devolution in general, as well as in the more specific case of the United Kingdom’s electoral system.

This book examines the increasing territorialisation of party competition and the relaxation of unitarian rule through devolution, presenting a long-term analysis of electoral developments in the United Kingdom since the end of the Second World War. Subsequently, the book looks into the undermining of the traditional majoritarian mode of British government as a result. It analyzes the significant role of these long-term developments and their detrimental effect on the parliament’s ability to resolve issues like the Scottish Independence Referendum or the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, and it addresses their underlying causes. The author additionally reconnects these electoral developments to the changing nature of devolution and shows how the deepening of devolution accelerates the negative electoral consequences for the British system of government. Finally, the book shows why the British Labour Party is turning more and more into a long-term minority party as a result of these developments. The book is a must-read for scholars, students and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of comparative politics and devolution in general, as well as in the more specific case of the United Kingdom’s electoral system.

This monograph discusses the role of political parties in Paraguay’s legislature. Using Paraguay as a case study, the author analyzes the phenomenon of legislative chaos. While chaos has been expected to exist in legislatures since at least 1785 (Arrow 1951; Condorcet 1785), this phenomenon has not been observable in real-world legislatures for much of history (Tullock 1967; Tullock and Brennan 1981). By showing that chaos exists in Paraguay, and by then proposing a way to incorporate chaos into existing legislative theories, this volume creates a model that is more generalizable to different legislative contexts than what currently exists. Providing a robust theoretical contribution to the study of both legislative politics and Paraguay’s political system, this book will appeal to researchers and students studying legislative behavior and Latin American politics.

This monograph discusses the role of political parties in Paraguay’s legislature. Using Paraguay as a case study, the author analyzes the phenomenon of legislative chaos. While chaos has been expected to exist in legislatures since at least 1785 (Arrow 1951; Condorcet 1785), this phenomenon has not been observable in real-world legislatures for much of history (Tullock 1967; Tullock and Brennan 1981). By showing that chaos exists in Paraguay, and by then proposing a way to incorporate chaos into existing legislative theories, this volume creates a model that is more generalizable to different legislative contexts than what currently exists. Providing a robust theoretical contribution to the study of both legislative politics and Paraguay’s political system, this book will appeal to researchers and students studying legislative behavior and Latin American politics.

This book examines the Europeanisation of party politics in Malta.  It evaluates the influence of Europeanisation on the political system, which is based on two party-system, polarisation, and clientelism. Malta is the smallest European Union (EU) member state, which joined the EU in 2004. The road toward membership was fraught with contentious and emotionally charged debates. This book explores the relationship between Maltese political parties and the EU, the politicisation and framing of the European Union by political parties, and the impact of the European Union on Malta’s political system. The book further discusses more contentious recent events which made headlines at the EU level, including the Panama Papers scandals, the Individual Investment Programme, and the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The book will appeal to students, scholars, and researchers of political science and international relations interested in a better understanding ofelectoral studies, Europeanisation, European integration, as well as the Maltese political system, and party politics.

This book examines the Europeanisation of party politics in Malta.  It evaluates the influence of Europeanisation on the political system, which is based on two party-system, polarisation, and clientelism. Malta is the smallest European Union (EU) member state, which joined the EU in 2004. The road toward membership was fraught with contentious and emotionally charged debates. This book explores the relationship between Maltese political parties and the EU, the politicisation and framing of the European Union by political parties, and the impact of the European Union on Malta’s political system. The book further discusses more contentious recent events which made headlines at the EU level, including the Panama Papers scandals, the Individual Investment Programme, and the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The book will appeal to students, scholars, and researchers of political science and international relations interested in a better understanding ofelectoral studies, Europeanisation, European integration, as well as the Maltese political system, and party politics.

This book on the politics of electoral reform in Central Europe since 1989 explains by whom, why, and how the electoral rules were changed in Central Europe in the post-Communist period. Examining the contextual factors affecting, underlying, and/or initiating these changes, the book identifies main actors, their motivations, and other circumstances surrounding the electoral reform processes. It further explores their political consequences, particularly on proportionality and personalization.Based on a detailed analysis of electoral reform processes in Czechoslovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia over the past thirty years, the book discusses how the politics of electoral reform in Central Europe is mostly driven, controlled, and decided by politicians, with other actors being either overlooked or ignored. Finally, it argues that most of the cases were imposed by an elite majority, with the sole exception of the Czech Republic, where the politics of electoral reform were influenced by the intervention of the constitutional court as an external actor.The book will appeal to students, researchers, and scholars of political science interested in a better understanding of electoral politics in general, as well as democratic transformation processes and electoral reform in Central Europe.

This book on the politics of electoral reform in Central Europe since 1989 explains by whom, why, and how the electoral rules were changed in Central Europe in the post-Communist period. Examining the contextual factors affecting, underlying, and/or initiating these changes, the book identifies main actors, their motivations, and other circumstances surrounding the electoral reform processes. It further explores their political consequences, particularly on proportionality and personalization.Based on a detailed analysis of electoral reform processes in Czechoslovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia over the past thirty years, the book discusses how the politics of electoral reform in Central Europe is mostly driven, controlled, and decided by politicians, with other actors being either overlooked or ignored. Finally, it argues that most of the cases were imposed by an elite majority, with the sole exception of the Czech Republic, where the politics of electoral reform were influenced by the intervention of the constitutional court as an external actor.The book will appeal to students, researchers, and scholars of political science interested in a better understanding of electoral politics in general, as well as democratic transformation processes and electoral reform in Central Europe.

This book tells the story of the 2020 presidential election campaign, exploring how Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination and defeated Donald Trump in the general election. It argues that Democratic Party elites paved the way for Biden’s victory, enabling him to overcome numerous campaign missteps to defeat one of the largest, wealthiest, most competitive fields in history. It details how elites discouraged potential rivals from entering the race, orchestrated rules to truncate the field, and steered voters toward Biden’s candidacy both directly and indirectly. It shows how they helped the Biden campaign overcome early defeats in the first several contests and turn his campaign around. And it shows the critical role they played in mobilizing partisans to help Biden win the general election campaign and thwarting efforts to undermine his victory. Simply put, the book demonstrates that Biden would not have won the White House without maneuvering and manipulation by the Democratic establishment.

This book tells the story of the 2020 presidential election campaign, exploring how Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination and defeated Donald Trump in the general election. It argues that Democratic Party elites paved the way for Biden’s victory, enabling him to overcome numerous campaign missteps to defeat one of the largest, wealthiest, most competitive fields in history. It details how elites discouraged potential rivals from entering the race, orchestrated rules to truncate the field, and steered voters toward Biden’s candidacy both directly and indirectly. It shows how they helped the Biden campaign overcome early defeats in the first several contests and turn his campaign around. And it shows the critical role they played in mobilizing partisans to help Biden win the general election campaign and thwarting efforts to undermine his victory. Simply put, the book demonstrates that Biden would not have won the White House without maneuvering and manipulation by the Democratic establishment.

This book discusses theories of crisis management and the radical right, to shed light on how responses to crisis influence radical right parties in their presence, discourse, and evolution. The book offers a comparative perspective by examining case studies with various traditions of radical right actors, presenting data on how crisis exploitation can assist in exploring, reconsidering, bargaining, and learning about the prospects of change of political parties.The book focuses on the debate on radicalization and crisis management. Similar to the already existing economic, political, post-Brexit, and migration crises in Europe, discourses of fear around the latest health crisis are paving the way for further radicalised discourse from the far right. The book looks into how radical right parties in Europe have responded to these crises. It monitors and explores how crisis exploitation impacts political strategies, opportunity-seeking behaviours, and the evolution of the discourse of radical right parties in the contemporary political landscape.Therefore, this book is a must-read for researchers, students, and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of populism, radical right parties, electoral studies, as well as comparative politics in general.

This book discusses theories of crisis management and the radical right, to shed light on how responses to crisis influence radical right parties in their presence, discourse, and evolution. The book offers a comparative perspective by examining case studies with various traditions of radical right actors, presenting data on how crisis exploitation can assist in exploring, reconsidering, bargaining, and learning about the prospects of change of political parties.The book focuses on the debate on radicalization and crisis management. Similar to the already existing economic, political, post-Brexit, and migration crises in Europe, discourses of fear around the latest health crisis are paving the way for further radicalised discourse from the far right. The book looks into how radical right parties in Europe have responded to these crises. It monitors and explores how crisis exploitation impacts political strategies, opportunity-seeking behaviours, and the evolution of the discourse of radical right parties in the contemporary political landscape.Therefore, this book is a must-read for researchers, students, and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of populism, radical right parties, electoral studies, as well as comparative politics in general.

African Americans have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Yet, the rise of Donald Trump, with his radical Republican stance, did not diminish their support for him compared to previous Republican candidates. This book analyzes an intriguing question: Why are some African American voters not deterred by Trump’s rhetoric?Exploring a new theory, the book argues that Black Trump voters have varying degrees of attachment to Black identity. Those with weaker ties to Black identity are less likely to conform to the expected political behavior of their community. Instead, their primary identity, often Christianity, guides their voting decisions. This shift in identity prioritization leads them to support the Republican Party, regardless of the candidate.This book provides a fresh perspective on race, identity, and political allegiance in contemporary America. It will appeal to students, scholars, and researchers of political science in general and electoral studies in particular.

African Americans have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Yet, the rise of Donald Trump, with his radical Republican stance, did not diminish their support for him compared to previous Republican candidates. This book analyzes an intriguing question: Why are some African American voters not deterred by Trump’s rhetoric?Exploring a new theory, the book argues that Black Trump voters have varying degrees of attachment to Black identity. Those with weaker ties to Black identity are less likely to conform to the expected political behavior of their community. Instead, their primary identity, often Christianity, guides their voting decisions. This shift in identity prioritization leads them to support the Republican Party, regardless of the candidate.This book provides a fresh perspective on race, identity, and political allegiance in contemporary America. It will appeal to students, scholars, and researchers of political science in general and electoral studies in particular.

This book offers a comprehensive account of the Italian party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), covering the period from its foundation in December 2012 to the summer of 2025, marking almost three years of the Meloni government. It examines the factors that have contributed to the rise of Brothers of Italy and its leader, Giorgia Meloni, establishing the party as the cornerstone of Italy’s right-wing coalition and of the current government. The authors, Valerio Alfonso Bruno and Mara Morini, place the key dimensions of Meloni’s party at the centre of their analysis, including its ideology, leadership, policy agenda, and electoral base. They also explore the party’s relations with the other members of the right-wing coalition—Salvini’s Lega and Berlusconi’s Forza Italia—as well as with far-right movements in Italy and abroad. The first part of the book analyses the party’s first decade (2012–2022), tracing its trajectory from the breakaway from Berlusconi’s Popolo della Libertà, amid the sovereign debt crisis and the technocratic government led by Mario Monti, to its victory in the 2022 general election. The second part focuses on the organization, structure, ideology, and leadership of the party, concluding with an in-depth examination of its policies. This book will appeal to students, scholars, and researchers of political science in general, and electoral studies in particular, seeking a deeper understanding of the Brothers of Italy party and contemporary Italian electoral politics.