Party System Characteristics and Challenges to Democracy

In the literature, several theses can be found on the relationship between the characteristics of party systems and democracy. Particular attention is paid to those party system characteristics that are believed to have negative impacts on democracy. These are the deinstitutionalization and the polarization of the party system; the findings on the impact of party system fragmentation are inconclusive. Since the characteristics of parties may influence the characteristics of party systems, these are also taken into account. Brief overviews of the indicators of fragmentation, institutionalization and polarization are presented. The chapter concludes with a section on the role of a broader set of actors, particularly party supporters, citizens and civil society, in relation to democracy.