The Problematique of Democratic Backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

With the populist and anti-established political parties on rise (not only) in Central and Eastern Europe, the issue of the effective institutional settings of the political systems gets more relevant and important. It is the institutional framework of the country’s political system that can prevent the total capture of power (provided only political forces are used of course, not the military-like force such as guerillas, militias etc.), and at the same time the institutions and their settings are targeted by the populist and anti-establishment leaders (parties) to change the “rules of game” that would suit their interests. We welcome papers that would focus on the role the political system institutions play in preventing democratic backsliding in the regions of Central and Eastern Europe. The papers can focus on institutional check-and-balance principle in general or on specific types of institutions, such as second parliamentary chambers, heads of states, constitutional / supreme / state courts, and tribunals.

Sub Unit

• Partner Associations / Central European Political Science Association

Individual Presentations

• Comparative Analysis of Citizens’ View on Democracy in the CEE Members of the EU - Boglárka Koller, Ludovika University of Public Service, Tax No: 15795719-4-42

• Grey Voters’ Electoral Inclusion Mechanisms: Poland’s Democratic Experiences - Agnieszka Turska-Kawa, University of Silesia in Katowice

• Obstacles to Effective Governance or Safeguards against Democratic Backsliding - Petr Just, Metropolitan University Prague

• From Conspiracies and Intergovernmental Relations: Slovenian Democratic Decline - Miro Hacek, University of Ljubljana; Simona Kukovic, School of Advanced Social Studies

• Digitalization Processes in Politics as a Remedy for Democratic Backsliding? - Michał Jacuński, University of Wroclaw

Chair

• Simona Kukovic School of Advanced Social Studies

Discussant

• Kenneth Ka Lok Chan Hong Kong Baptist University