Elections as a Tool of Party System Consolidation in Poland? An Exploration of Parties and Elections in Poland 1991-2007

This research examines the process and pattern of party system development and stabilization in Poland from 1991 to 2007. The goal is to establish which, if any, aspects of the party system were effectively consolidated during this period, which were not, and what aspects of the broader political system facilitated or obstructed party system consolidation. In particular, this research investigates to the extent to which there is evidence of learning by political parties and voters through repeated participation in elections in Poland and the subsequent impact of this learning on system consolidation. Attention is also given to patterns of institutional change and other aspects of the broader political system that have acted as impediments to party system consolidation – effectively limiting the “learning process”. In particular, electoral volatility tied to what would appear to be significant shifts in the underlying cleavage structure within the political system is considered as one possible explanation for continued party system instability two decades after Poland began the democratization process