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Extreme events, decentralization and the number of parties

Author

Listed:
  • David Lublin

Abstract

An examination of elections in regions in nine western democracies reveals that widespread crises like the Great Recession and COVID-19 spurred increases in the number of parties, but Brexit decreased the number of parties in the United Kingdom. The relationship between the two broad-based crises and the number of parties was mediated strongly by decentralization. Though self-rule mitigated increases in the number of parties, shared rule exacerbated them. Decentralization is most strongly linked to the number of parties in minority regions, so the lack of self-rule or high levels of shared rule may prove more destabilizing to the party system in multiethnic countries. In ontrast, though strongly related to the number of parties more generally, more permissive electoral systems do not substantially alter increases in the number of parties associated with crises.

Suggested Citation

  • David Lublin, 2022. "Extreme events, decentralization and the number of parties," Working Papers. Collection A: Public economics, governance and decentralization 2211, Universidade de Vigo, GEN - Governance and Economics research Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:gov:wpaper:2211
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    File URL: http://infogen.webs.uvigo.es/WP/WP2211.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2022
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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