Bulgaria's Democratic Institutions at Thirty: A Balance Sheet

Kjell Engelbrekt · Petia Kostadinova

May 2020 · Rowman & Littlefield

About this ebook

Thirty years after Bulgaria’s democratic breakthrough, this book provides a “balance sheet” of the country’s democratic institutions through a number of interdisciplinary contributions. The volume is organized around three themes—democratic institutions, civil society, and European Union (EU) processes—and examines such topics such as voting, political parties, populism, media, civil society organizations, identity, and the rule of law. While the contributors argue that Bulgaria’s democracy is successful in terms of the procedural norms of democracy, civic participation, and compliance with EU rules, they also identify serious problem areas. Bulgaria’s democratic institutions struggle with obstacles such as populist Euroscepticism, political elitism, corruption, and a lack of political accountability, though this volume fully acknowledges the historical development of Bulgarian democracy, including its achievements and continuing setbacks.

About the author

Kjell Engelbrekt is professor at the Swedish Defence University, visiting professor at Stockholm University, and nonresident senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Petia Kostadinova is associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.