Party Government in Germany and Austria: A New Perspective from the Power Index Approach

Abstract

Based on the Banzhaf-Coleman approach to the analysis of political power, this article presents a new analysis of government coalitions. The party systems and types of government formation in Germany and Austria can be compared over time in a new systematic way from 1920. The findings support the theory of democratic stability that emphasizes the power balance between the major right-and left-wing groups in the party system. It can be achieved either by power alternation or through consociationalism.Keywords: party government, coalitions in Germany and Austria, the power index approach, ex ante and ex post power, power imbalance between the left and right wing parties, political stability, Banzhaf numbers.