Bulgaria's Democratic Institutions at Thirty: A Balance Sheet

(Hardback)

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Thirty years after Bulgarias democratic breakthrough, this book provides a balance sheet of the countrys democratic institutions through a number of interdisciplinary contributions. The volume is organized around three themesdemocratic institutions, civil society, and European Union (EU) processesand examines such topics such as voting, political parties, populism, media, civil society organizations, identity, and the rule of law. While the contributors argue that Bulgarias democracy is successful in terms of the procedural norms of democracy, civic participation, and compliance with EU rules, they also identify serious problem areas. Bulgarias democratic institutions struggle with obstacles such as populist Euroscepticism, political elitism, corruption, and a lack of political accountability, though this volume fully acknowledges the historical development of Bulgarian democracy, including its achievements and continuing setbacks.

Author Bio

Petia Kostadinova is associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Kjell Engelbrekt is professor at the Swedish Defence University, visiting professor at Stockholm University, and nonresident senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.