Introduction : rationale, questions, methods -- Direct elections or political opportunities? Explaining presidential activism -- The activism of indirectly and directly elected presidents -- To elect or to select? -- The nature of presidential elections -- Decrease of political disillusionment and apathy? -- Conclusions
Summary
Using both quantitative and qualitative empirical evidence from democratic systems across the world, this book shows that compared to indirect selection methods, direct elections do not yield more active and contentious presidents, do not polarise political elites or society, and do not remedy political apathy
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (244-265) and index
