Building Democracy in One-Party Systems - (And Economic History; 13) by Gary D Wekkin & Donald E Whistler & Michael A Kelley (Hardcover)

About the Book

With democratic capitalism appearing to sweep the world, this timely collection addresses theoretical and practical aspects of building democracy in one-party systems. Contributions examine the progress and condition of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and the two Chinas; the fall of Gorbachev; and the Serbian drive for hegemony in the Balkans. Focusing upon four main areas, the volume analyzes (1) the theoretical challenge of creating and sustaining democracy, (2) the experience of operating democracy in the absence of two-party competition, as found in the Southern United States, (3) building democracy in the place of communism, and (4) building democracy in less-developed countries.

Book Synopsis

With democratic capitalism appearing to sweep the world, this timely collection addresses theoretical and practical aspects of building democracy in one-party systems. Contributions examine the progress and condition of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and the two Chinas; the fall of Gorbachev; and the Serbian drive for hegemony in the Balkans. Focusing upon four main areas, the volume analyzes (1) the theoretical challenge of creating and sustaining democracy, (2) the experience of operating democracy in the absence of two-party competition, as found in the Southern United States, (3) building democracy in the place of communism, and (4) building democracy in less-developed countries.

Review Quotes

"In an intellectually coherent collection of studies, the authors boldly respond to the diverse problems confronting the contemporary efforts to democratize one-party systems in the old Soviet bloc, Asia, and Africa. Among the illuminating explorations are intriguing comparisons of China with Taiwan and of one-partyism in the U.S. South with one-partyism elsewhere."-Leon D. Epstein Professor-Emeritus University of Wisconsin-Madison

"This volume is a 'must' for all scholars interested in theoretical problems of democratization in one-party systems. Valuable theoretical insights have been derived from comparative evidence and penetrating empirical studies. It helps to formulate strategies for democratization and to evaluate the rationality of different strategies used in practice."- Tatu Vanhanen University of Helsinki

About the Author

GARY D. WEKKIN is Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Arkansas.

DONALD E. WHISTLER is Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Arkansas.

MICHAEL A. KELLEY is Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Arkansas.

MICHAEL A. MAGGIOTTO is Professor of Political Science at Bowling Green State University.