Presidential bandwagon : parties and party systems in the Philippines / Yuko Kasuya.

Originally published: [S.l.] : Keio University Press, 2008.

In the wake of democratization, one of the biggest challenges facing new governments is managing a smooth transition to democratic rule. How can newly elected governments stabilize their hold on power and consolidate democratic process? Or, under what conditions might an apparently successful transition misfire? This book explores these questions by focusing on one of the most pressing issues in consolidating democracy: the stability of party politics. Applying both qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques and focusing on the case of the Philippines from comparative perspective, the book analyzes why the party system changed from a stable two-party system to an unstable multi-party system in the aftermath of democratization in the Philippines. The author argues that the shortened presidential term limit from two terms to one under the new Constitution was the major factor that destabilized the party system in the post-Marcos era.The book also examines in a theoretically well-informed manner other important issues in Philippine politics, such as the use of patronage in elections, the pork barrel process, and party organization structure. Using cross-national statistical analyses, the author shows how her argument on the effect of presidential term limit appears to hold true for other newly democratized regimes.