Lektion 8: Political parties Flashcards
What is a political party?
- Political parties are the central actors in democratic politics, as well as in authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.
- Their role can not be replaced by social movements or governance networks
- Huckshorns (1984) definition: a political party is an autonomous group of citizens, having the purpose of making nominations and contesting elections in the hope of gaining control over governmental power through the capture of public offices and the organizations of the government”
Other definitions s. 221
Where does parties originate from?
- Earlier parties originated within parlaments, while others originated outside parliaments with the objective of getting in.
What are the functions of parties?
- The three main functions of parties
1. Coordination within governments:
Parties in public offices. Parties select the commitee members and the organize the parlamentary agenda. - They also structure coordination between different levels (national, regional) of government.
- Coordination within society:
- They structure coordination among likeminded public officials
- They organize and channel the the political activity of citizens
- They provide politival education, discussions, the coordination of collective action - Coordination between government and society:
- The linking of the party on the ground as a group of active citizens supporting a particular political tendency, and the party in public office.
What function does the political parties have?
- Political Parties conduct of electoral campaigns
- They play a central role in coordinating among public officials, among citizens, and officials
- Parties provide most of the candidates in elections and they are the formal contestants of elections
- Most funds required for political campaigns are raised and spent by parties
- Political parties recruit political personnel
- They serve as representatives, both of social groups and ideological positions
What types of parties exists?
Elite parties:
- This party type developed in European parliaments (earliest modern party; cadre)
- They don’t have a party central office
- They don’t have defined membership
- Loose organization
- Recruiting individuals and the best men only
Mass parties:
- Permanent organization
- They represent the interest of a specific group (often social class), and not the national interest
- Homogeneus membership
- Buttom-up relation between the members and central party office
Catch-all parties:
- Mainstream parties, often those in power
- Communicate through mass-media
- Often no Idealogy
- Top-down relation between members and the top
Cartel-parties
- Parties with a broad focus
- They have increased the formal powers of party members
- They function as mainstream parties, and they are often in power. They often come to power on a medium term
Anti-cartel parties
- They have a deeper commitment to their members than the cartel-parties.
- They are organized around an idea rather than a social grouping.
- Focused on one area rather than more areas
How did parties evolve?
- Party organizational types evolved over time as suffrage was expanded and societies changed
- Rather than reaching an end-point, organizations continue to envolve, and new types continue to develop
- Party membership, and involvement of citizens in party politics more generally, appear to be declaining virtually throughout the democratic world
How do parties regulate?
- Parties are increasingly the subject of legal regulation, which while justified in the name of fairness may also contribute to the entrenchment of the parties that currently are strong.
What is the “Iron law of oligarchy”?
- Iron law of oligarchy is a political theory that claims that every party will be lead by an elite/oligarchy because of organisational processes and changes of opinions among the leaders of the party. This tendency includes all types of parties no matter what ideology they follow. It focuses on the similarities, inclusion and democracy.
