The Party System

Question 1

What are the origins of representative democracy ?

Answer 1

James Bryce: ‘parties are inevitable … no one has shown how representative government could work without them’

Max Weber: parties are ‘the children of democracy’

Elmer Schattschneider: ‘modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the parties’

Question 2

What are the origins of the party system ?

Answer 2

Party system reflects its origins (Lipset and Rokkan, 1967)

Political cleavages:

1. National (Religion, Centre-periphery)
2. Industrial (Class, Urban-rural)

Complicated in Ireland

Origins of representative democracy coincides with….
Campaign for Irish independence

Question 3

What is the Lipset-Rokkan thesis ?

Answer 3

Structure of party systems in Western Europe was largely shaped by cleavages emerging from the processes of industrialization and state formation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to enduring patterns of party alignment based on social divisions such as religion, class, and region.

These cleavages created stable party systems characterized by long-standing alignments between specific social groups and political parties, which persisted even as societal dynamics evolved.

Question 4

Why does Ireland not fit the Lipset-Rokkan thesis according to John Whyte ?

Answer 4

Coincidence of independence and suffrage extension.

Ireland doesn’t fit (John Whyte) - the cleavages are oriented around:

• Class (Belfast)
• Religion (Catholic)
• Urban-rural (Agriculture; Dublin)
• Centre-Periphery (London)

Question 5

Why does Ireland sort of fit the Lipset-Rokkan thesis according to Richard Sinnot ?

Answer 5

Coincidence of independence and suffrage extension.

Ireland sort of fits (Richard Sinnott)
Agrees with most of Whyte’s analysis

Centre-Periphery (lack of full independence, and the border)

Strong vs. Moderate peripheralists

Question 6

What is unique about the party politics in Ireland ?

Answer 6

a) Nature of party competition

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

R. K. Carty (1981): ‘programatically indistinguishable’

M. Laver et al. (1987): some policy differences - but also historically change areas

b) Dominance of Fianna Fáil

Catch all party (Otto Kirchheimer)

c) The weak Left

Pre-eminence of Nationalism in formative years

Labour and the 1918 election (Brian Farrell)

Skipping the industrial revolution

Emigration

Has itself to blame (Peter Mair)

Question 7

Is the nature of party competition changing?

Answer 7

More conventional left vs. right politics ? - not so far, however, emergence of the right.

The end of FF dominance

Questions concerning the decline the established parties

Left potentially gaining strength

Question 8

Discuss instability within the party system in Ireland.

Answer 8

The chapter highlights significant volatility in the Irish party system during the elections of 2011 and 2016. For 24 consecutive elections between 1932 and 2007, Fianna Fáil dominated, but in 2011, its support plummeted to 17%. Despite a slight decrease in volatility in 2016, it remained the second most volatile Irish election. These shifts were particularly noteworthy given the period’s substantial economic recovery.(Cunningham and Marsh, 2023)

Question 9

Discuss shifts in the social basis of party support and support for the party system.

Answer 9

The social basis of party support in Ireland has evolved, with significant changes observed over time. While Fianna Fáil historically had broad-based support, the rise of Sinn Féin in 2016 indicated a shift towards more aligned working-class support. Additionally, the Labour Party saw greater support among middle-class voters. (Cunningham and Marsh, 2023)

Question 10

What is the role of party leaders ?

Answer 10

Party leaders wield significant influence in Irish elections, with their popularity directly impacting voter perceptions of their respective parties.

The dominance of party leaders in media coverage and campaign messaging underscores their importance in shaping public opinion.

The impact of a leader’s popularity on party support remains a subject of debate, with scholars exploring the nuanced relationship between leader appeal and party allegiance. (Cunningham and Marsh, 2023)

Question 11

Discuss candidate centred voting.

Answer 11

Unlike in many countries where party allegiance dominates, Irish elections prioritize individual candidates over party affiliation. The electoral system requires voters to rank candidates rather than simply casting party votes. This emphasis on candidates reflects the importance of local context and personal connections in Irish electoral democracy.

The importance of candidates varies among different political parties in Ireland.

Historically, Fine Gael supporters have been more inclined to prioritize candidates over party affiliation, while Fianna Fáil voters have demonstrated stronger loyalty to the party. However, these trends have shown some reversal over time, suggesting evolving dynamics within party politics. (Cunningham and Marsh, 2023)

Question 12

Discuss voter preferences for local representation (particular to Ireland).

Answer 12

Opinion polls consistently show that a significant proportion of Irish voters prioritize selecting candidates who can effectively represent their local interests.

In the 2016 election, 42% of voters emphasized the importance of choosing a candidate to address local needs, highlighting the significance of constituency-level concerns in shaping voter decisions. (Cunningham and Marsh, 2023)

Question 13

Discuss the rise of independent candidates.

Answer 13

Independent candidates have emerged as a notable feature of Irish politics, attracting voters who reject traditional party affiliations. The electoral system facilitates the success of independent candidates, reflecting a growing desire among voters for alternative representation and a dissatisfaction with mainstream parties. (Cunningham and Marsh, 2023)

Question 14

Describe the unique party system structure of Ireland.

Answer 14

o Absence of major parties representing key societal groups such as the Church or trade unions sets the Irish party system apart from European norms.

o Despite Ireland’s status as a Catholic state, there is no dominant party advocating explicitly for Church interests.

o Lack of an obviously secular party and absence of a major party representing trade unions further distinguish Ireland’s political landscape. (Marsh., 2023)

Question 15

Discuss the party system fragmentation and decline in party attachment.

Answer 15

o Following the economic crisis of 2008, the Irish party system has undergone fragmentation.

o Elections reflect fewer voters aligning with traditional parties like Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

o Survey data illustrates a decline in party attachments among Irish voters over time.

o In the 1970s, over 60% of respondents felt “close” to a party, dropping to less than 40% by the mid-1990s. (Marsh., 2023)

Question 16

Religious decline is amongst the forces changing the party system. Give a few statistics to that effect.

Answer 16

o Religious observance has declined significantly, with less than 40% of the population attending weekly religious services by 2016.

o This marks a substantial shift from the over 90% attendance rate in the 1970s. (Marsh., 2023)

Question 17

Discuss the recent fragmentation in contrast with the long-standing stability of the party system.

Answer 17

The Irish party system has transitioned from a period of stability characterized by alternating power between Fianna Fáil and other parties, to one marked by fragmentation and uncertainty since 2011. This shift reflects both short-term factors like electoral drubbings and long-term trends initiated by the emergence of new parties since the 1980s.

• Long-term Stability: The traditional Irish party system was characterized by stability, with power alternating between Fianna Fáil and other parties. This stability provided a sense of continuity and predictability in government.
• Fragmentation Post-2011: Since 2011, there has been a noticeable fragmentation and uncertainty in Irish politics. This shift was triggered by a significant decline in Fianna Fáil’s vote share and electoral losses for Fine Gael and Labour. (Farrell, 2021)

Question 18

What have been the impacts of this “centrist gravitational lockstep” on the parties operating within the system ?

Answer 18

Centrist Gravitational Lockstep: The Irish political landscape has been characterized by a gravitational lockstep between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, both occupying center-right positions. This centripetalism has hindered the momentum of parties on either flank.

• Alignment of Mainstream Parties: The alignment of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael along the center-right spectrum created a gravitational lockstep that maintained centrist politics in Ireland.
• Challenges for Alternative Parties: The dominance of centrist parties posed challenges for parties on the political fringes, making it difficult for them to gain significant traction or challenge the established order. (Farrell, 2021)

Question 19

What are the three main components to systemic change ?

Answer 19

• Mair identifies three components of systemic change: alternation, innovation, and the range of parties accessing government office.
• Alternation refers to partisan turnover in government, measured by changes in cabinet positions. (Farrell, 2021)

Question 20

What is the difference between closed and open structures of competition ?

Answer 20

• Closed structures feature wholesale alternation, familiar governing formulas, and limited access to government.
• Open structures involve partial alternation, innovation, and open access to government, leading to systemic change. (Farrell, 2021)

Question 21

Discuss coalitions in the Irish party system.

Answer 21

Innovation in coalition formation has become more prevalent since 1989, with various novel coalitions emerging, reflecting systemic change. (Farrell, 2021)

Question 22

Why was 1989 so important in terms of system change for Ireland ?

Answer 22

The period since 1989 marks a significant shift in the Irish party system, with various electoral and coalitional innovations amplifying systemic changes.

Recent electoral earthquakes (e.g., 2011, 2016, 2020) have further underscored the evolving nature of the party system. (Farrell, 2021)

Question 23

Discuss the history of leftist politics in Ireland.

Answer 23

Traditionally, Ireland has not been conducive to leftist parties, with their aggregate vote hovering between 10 and 20 percent from the 1920s to the 2000s, considerably lower than in other Western European countries.

This was attributed to factors such as the dominance of nationalist issues, a small working class due to the pre-industrial economy, and the significant influence of the Catholic Church. Affection for leftist ideals often remained with emigrants. (Weeks, 2023)

Question 24

When did this non-conductivity of leftists politics change in Ireland ?

Answer 24

The economic recession of the late 2000s marked a turning point, leading to a revival of left-wing fortunes in Ireland. Despite this, the main left-wing protagonist, the Labour Party, didn’t capitalize as expected. However, other left-wing parties, including Sinn Féin, the Green Party, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit-Solidarity alliance, gained traction.

Over the past half-century, minor parties in Ireland have predominantly been of left-wing persuasion. The Progressive Democrats, a center-right liberal party, was the most successful minor party before its dissolution in 2009. In contrast, newer minor parties like the Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity alliance have seen modest growth and electoral success. (Weeks, 2023)