Going for a safe vote: electoral bribes in post-communist Romania

Gherghina, S. (2013) Going for a safe vote: electoral bribes in post-communist Romania. Debatte: Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, 21(2-3), pp. 143-164. (doi: 10.1080/0965156X.2013.836859)

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Abstract

This paper tests a dual rationality of electoral bribery with evidence from Romania. Earlier research argues that the era of mass liberal democracies brought such practices to an end. However, empirical evidence indicates that this is not the case. Using a qualitative approach, this single-case study shows how the territorial division of votes in a relatively stable environment of party competition can foster the existence of electoral bribes. Its central argument is that political parties use this mechanism both to preserve their territorial strongholds and with the aim of gaining supplementary support from potential swing voters.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gherghina, Dr Sergiu
Authors: Gherghina, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
Journal Name:Debatte: Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:0965-156X
ISSN (Online):1469-3712
Published Online:10 October 2013

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