ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the most important systemic consequences of party switching. It examines these consequences at the levels of political parties, party systems, and institutionalisation processes. The analysis delves into the pattern and significance of collective transfers, referring to instances that cause splits or fusion of parliamentary groups. This process affects the balance between government and opposition. The chapter also discusses researchers’ findings, revealing the challenge in determining whether party switching is an effect or a cause of insufficient institutionalisation of parties and party systems. The theoretical argument is strengthened by the thesis that, in developed democracies, the democratic tradition protects against the chaos of deinstitutionalisation. Conversely, in new democracies, excessive deinstitutionalisation may risk the emergence of anti-democratic tendencies. An additional contribution to the academic debate is a theoretical consideration of the potential negative impact of parliamentary volatility on democracy. The chapter provides arguments that reinforce the thesis that party switching and other forms of parliamentary volatility testify to the democratic nature of the system. They do not pose a direct threat to democracy, nor do they distort election results in a significantly different way than phenomena such as hidden coalitions, coalitions of losers, or surrogate governments.
