The Party Systems of new Democracies in East Asia: Characteristics, Types and Institutionalization Degree

This article analyzes the party systems in five young East Asian democracies. It outlines their characteristics, formations, and extent of institutionalization. Furthermore, it distinguishes between different types of party systems at the present time and in the course of time. It shows that the extent of institutionalization differs among these nations but is predominantly low in most of them. Furthermore the article will discuss potential explanations for the properties of the party systems described here. The analysis in turn suggests that the different formations and levels of institutionalization of party systems in the region can be ascribed to a combination of socio-structural and institutional factors. These findings also indicate that the significance of party system institutionalization for the consolidation of democracy must be qualified.