Political opposition in the United States
Article Abstract:
Political opposition is ubiquitous in the US political system. Its operation is primarily affected by the system of checks and balances written into the US Constitution, especially the mechanisms of impeachment and federalism. Interest groups, the media and political parties provide the primary engines for expressing opposition outside of these constitutional instruments. The US system of checks and balances discourages systematic, ideologically based opposition, reflects a strong bias toward the political status quo, and fosters policy making that is based upon broad, nonpartisan consensus.
Publication Name: Government and Opposition
Subject: Government
ISSN: 0017-257X
Year: 1997
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Opposition questions
Article Abstract:
Political opposition has undergone a radical transformation since the 1960s and 1970s. Institutionalized, legitimate political opposition has become increasingly recognized in many Central and Eastern European nations. In a variety of democratic and nondemocratic nations, those engaged in political opposition have repositioned themselves within their societies. These shifting political dynamics raise general and specific questions about the meanings, causes, operational mechanisms, and likely future directions of opposition, all of which would benefit from further scholarly investigation.
Publication Name: Government and Opposition
Subject: Government
ISSN: 0017-257X
Year: 1997
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Political opposition in the contemporary world
Article Abstract:
To further understanding of the contemporary dynamics of political opposition, researchers must first determine the types of opposition in existence, isolate the factors causing variation in oppositional types, and formulate a generally applicable theory of the conditions leading to the formation, growth and waning of opposition. The work of Robert Dahl provides a valuable framework for such research. The character of political opposition generally varies according to the repressiveness of the regime being opposed, while the cohesiveness of an opposition generally determines its strength.
Publication Name: Government and Opposition
Subject: Government
ISSN: 0017-257X
Year: 1997
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