Coalitions in Transition

Coalitions are increasingly becoming alliances of convenience: the main thing is that they add up to a majority. In terms of substance, however, the parties are often far apart, and after the election the haggling over every detail begins. That does not automatically make politics bad—but it is becoming increasingly difficult for voters to see what will actually be implemented in the end.

Are shifting coalitions a sign of greater democratic diversity, or rather of parties promising too much before the election? And should there be clear minimum requirements on policy substance before parties govern together at all?