Description
Book SynopsisGiven the rise of terrorism and the persistence of extremism in both established and new democracies today, continued research and dialogue on the defense of democracy are necessary for its preservation.
Trade ReviewA well-crafted study that sheds additional light on how and why democracy was not altogether submerged in the troubled interwar period. History: Review of New Books 2005 Defending Democracy is likely to spark fruitful discussion. Perspectives on Politics 2005 Capoccia's exploration is both informative and provocative... would equally benefit students and scholars of democratic government, interwar Europe and the survival and breakdown of democratic regimes. Political Studies Review 2006 Elegant, comprehensive, and innovative book... Well worth a careful read. Democratization 2006 Giovanni Capoccia develops a rigorously tested argument about elite strategies of responding to extremism by focusing on interwar Europe. -- Daniel Ziblatt CP-APSA, the Newsletter of the Comparative Politics Organized Section of the American Political Science Association 2006
Table of ContentsTables and Figures
Acknowledgments
Part I: The Theoretical Framework
1. Democratic Stability and Democratic Crisis
2. The Challenges: Antisystem Parties
3. The Defense: Strategies against Extremism
Part II: Case Studies
4. Czechoslovakia
5. Belgium
6. Finland
Part III: Comparative Perspectives
7. Defense of Democracy: Actors and Strategies in Comparative Perspective
8. Conclusion
Appendix A: Party Names and Translations
Appendix B: Government Coalitions and Alignments in Presidential Elections
Appendix C: Anti-extremist Legislation in Czechoslovakia, Finland, and Belgium
Notes
Bibliography
Index
