Coalitions and political parties as a reflection of societal changes and cultural rifts in 12 parliamentary democracies

This chapter examines both common developments and unique aspects of the parties in the coalition governments and their parliamentary opposition, and compares the ways in which they reflect the twelve countries’ policy dimensions, cultural rifts, and societal changes. Traditionally, political parties have been arrayed from left to right along a spectrum defined primarily according the socioeconomic policy dimension. The parliamentary strength of religious parties has diminished significantly, as religious observance continues to wane in most countries, despite parties continuing to maintain the label “Christian.” In the Netherlands, Belgium, Israel, and Latvia, the parties of the prime minister constitute less than half of the ruling coalitions and may be outvoted in executive decision-making. The parties in each country’s parliament reflect many of the most important societal divisions currently facing their country. Many national political systems reflect divisions between different geographic regions. In some countries, historic or socioeconomic differences between geographic regions correspond with demographic differences.