Under- and overinstitutionalization: Some ideal typical propositions concerning new and old party systems

The weakness of democratic institutions represents the core problem faced by processes of democratic consolidation. The present paper, which confines its attention exclusively to party systems, starts by diagnosing a double deficit. First, the concept of institutional "under-development' appears to be somewhat underdeveloped itself. It requires further clarification and elaboration. Second, the debate on democratic consolidation takes the "old' consolidated democracies as its normative model and assumes that the strength of institutions and the quality of democracy are positively related. This normative horizon might be distorted. The authors argue instead that institutions may be too weak - but also too strong. The paper therefore contrasts two ideal types of party systems: "underinstitutionalized' versus "overinstitutionalized'. After sketching some defining elements of institutions (section 2), the essay portrays differences and commonalities between these two party system extremes. -from Author