Processes of political convergence and divergence in advanced democracies

The aim of this chapter is to reflect on the transformations of democratic regimes over the last 30 years. These regimes have been hit by an impressive process of “externalisation of public authority”. Four different movements can be distinguished in this process. The first movement is the most explored: it is a lateral movement that occurred from the state to the market. A second movement took place from the state towards supranational institutions: this movement is particularly relevant in Europe. A third movement took place downwards, towards sub-national authorities. Finally, a fourth movement has benefited the so-called civil society. However, this is not the only major change in recent years. Attention is also drawn first to the complex process that has reorganised, rearticulated, and depoliticised the polity, redrawing the division of labour between executive, parliament, parties, and organised interests, while at the same time renewing the chain of command between politics and public administration. A further objective of the chapter is to explore the role of “media regimes”. The media now intervene on a massive scale in both representative and governmental activities. Their intertwining with the state, parties, interest groups and political competition deserves to be taken very seriously and considered as an aspect of the renewal of both polity and politics.