CERC Public Seminar: 'Semi-presidentialism and democratisation in Poland'

Tuesday 15 May, 1:00-2:00pm
at Room 212, Level 2, 234 Queensberry Street, The University of Melbourne

presented by

Dr Iain McMenamin

(School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, Visiting Fellow at the National Europe Centre and the Research School of Social Sciences, the Australian National University)

Abstract

Polish semi-presidentialism evolved from a pacted transition between the
leadership of the communist regime and the Solidarity opposition movement.
The mechanics of semi-presidentialism, as well as its effect on democratisation,
depend upon the constitution, the party system and the personality of the
president. Poland has had three semi-presidential constitutions, a variety
of relationships between president and government as well as government and
parliament, and three very different presidents. In the early years, the
absence of the conditions for stable semi-presidentialism had a negative
effect on democratisation. Later on, conditions were more supportive, and
semi-presidentialism began to play a more positive role. Before the introduction
of semi-presidentialism in November 1990, Polish elites had already established
a firm consensus on democracy, which was buttressed by consensus on the economic
system and international relations. Therefore, the conflicting legitimacies
generated by semi-presidentialism delayed but did not prevent, or seriously
threaten, democratic consolidation in Poland.

Biography

Iain McMenamin is a lecturer in the School of Law and Government, Dublin
City University and a Visiting Fellow at the National Europe Centre and the
Research School of Social Sciences, the Australian National University.
His articles on various aspects of comparative politics have appeared in
the European Journal of Political Research, the British Journal of Political
Science, Political Studies and other journals.