Gerbut I. Election engineering as a tool for political consolidation in a democratic society

The thesis presents a comprehensive analysis the capabilities of election engineering to promote political consolidation in a democracy. It's stated, that the task of electoral engineering, which is not reduced to mechanistic model selection electoral system, is the consolidation of the citizens' interests and the creation of favorable conditions for the management of public processes that will positively affect the strengthening of democratic institutions. The three theoretical traditions in studying of mass voting systems are defined: mathematical, institutionalist and social determinism. The important role of election in the transition from a closed to an authoritarian regime hegemonic, competitive authoritarianism, electoral democracy and establishment of liberal democratic regime is noted.