Making Party Democracy in Greece [Hardcover]

Focusing on the formative 1974-1981 years, the central theme of this book is the building of democracy in contemporary Greece and the role played in it by the newly-emergent political parties. Although all main parties are examined according to their importance, attention is chiefly given to conservative New Democracy which, led for the greatest part by charismatic Karamanlis, held office during these years of democratic transition. This study also offers a systematic analysis of today's political system in Greece, its strengths and deficiencies, and its prospects for the future.List of Tables, Charts, Figures Preface PART I: OLD LEGACIES, NEW IDEAS The Contours of the Postwar Right From Transition to Democracy to the Establishment of Party Democracy PART II: PARTY DEVELOPMENT Parties and Elections, 1974-1981 The Political Elite Level: How `New' was ND? The Internal Organization Level: How `Democratic' was ND? Battles for Ideological and Political Positions PART III: PARTIES AND BEYOND Democracy Building and Political Parties References Index

'This is an outstanding contribution to the comparative politics and sociology and not only to the study of Greek society and politics. It contributes to the growing field of the study of transitions to, and consolidation of, new democracies and our understanding of the role of Prime Minister Karemanlis. It is also one of the few monographic studies of a conservative party: Nea Demokretia, that has been able to institutionalize itself and to play a continuous role. It combines a theoretical approach with solid field work in a richly textured society.' - Juan J. Linz, Sterling Professor of Political and Social Science, Yale University.

Takis S. Pappas is with the National Center for Social Research in Athens, Greece.