duration have yet to be applied systematically to post-communist states. This paper
explores provides new data available from Post-Communist Europe and compares it to
Western European parliamentary systems. I expect coalition behavior in post-communist
states to reflect coalition outcomes in Western European parliaments. In addition, I
assume the institutional context matters to the shape of coalitions and length of a
government. This analysis considers the institution of bicameralism and assumes the
presence of an additional chamber may influence government formation and duration.
Introduction
One of the trademarks of parliamentary government is the indirect nomination of
the cabinet by the representatives from the elected assemblies. For over forty years
political scientists have explored government coalitions with a substantial focus on
Western Europe. The resulting literature has categorized various types of government
formation; estimated the relative duration of a government under particular
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Convention