engleski

Independent Local Lists in Croatia – In Search for a Composite Theoretical Frame

The paper deals with independent local lists in Croatia, in both analytic and theoretical way. At the beginning, the development and current state of local self-government and local political system in Croatia are described. Data on the independent local lists' participation and success during the 2005 general local elections are presented and analysed. Four theoretical approaches are proposed for an interpretation of the results: system, transition, neo-institutional and democratisation theory. None of them can alone explain the results in a satisfatory manner. That is reason why the author proposes a composite theoretical frame, which can explain the role and influence of a broader relevant context on the independent local lists' election success. Certain theoretical hypotheses are generated and to some extent verified in this paper. The advantages of the independent local lists and certain success factors of such lists are identified. Additional theoretical work and empirical verification are needed. Both qualitative insights and quantitative research can be useful.

independent local lists; local self-government - Croatia; local political system; local elections; composite theoretical frame (system; transition; neo-institutional; democratisation theory)

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