Political institutions

This theme is focusing on political systems and their institutions; how political institutions develop and function but also how they weaken and decline. Political institutions are understood in a broad sense as rules (like constitutions), formal institutions (like parliaments and political parties), and informal organization (like partnerships and networks). In the early 2000s comparative research on democratization in Eastern Europe was a strong research area. Today the theme has a stronger focus on institutional changes and democratic reforms. A selection of recent research within this theme: political parties in decline and change; modern information technology and political participation; the effects of school reforms; governing through new forms of public administration; institutional complexity, governance, and change.