Introduction to Political Science: Party Politics
Dr Raj Chari
The Lectures On Political Parties: Main Themes
Functions
of Parties Parties and Ideology Party Systems Decline of Parties
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Introduction
In many events that we consider political, the actors we see are parties Nothing „natural‟ about parties Often not mentioned by political rulebooks, such as constitutions
Nor in ancient political texts
What are parties? Why do parties exist? What do parties do? Where do parties position themselves?
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What Are Parties?
Inclusive definition of a party as „an institution that (a) seeks influence in a state, often by attempting to occupy positions in government, and (b) usually consists of more than a single interest in the society and to some degree attempts to “aggregate interests”‟ (Ware 1996: 5) Parties are groups of people gathered together to achieve political office (Downs 1957: 28; Ostrogorski 1902)
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Why Parties?
In the everyday world of politics, one may see parties as organizations of politically likeminded people who seek political power and public office in order to realize their policies Some explanations look at voters, and the benefits parties provide to voters as a reason for their existence Others look at legislative institutions and their effects on policy to explain the existence and cohesion of parties.
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Functions of Parties (1)
Representation:
Seen as primary function of parties Refers to capacity of parties to respond to and articulate the views of:
party members and voters
Remember: political system cf Almond and Easton, where parties make inputs into the political system.
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Functions of Parties (2)
Elite Formation and Recruitment:
Parties provide states with their political leaders In parliamentary systems, the leader of the largest party in the assembly normally becomes prime minister In the US, „Primary System‟ ensures that parties don‟t have „stranglehold‟ of who is elected party leader Other „Major‟ figure in core-executives in western Europe come from party structures as well.
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Functions of Parties (3)
Goal Formation:
Parties help formulate and implement goals They formulate programs of govt: through election manifestos and conferences Parties thus formulate a coherent set of policy options that are presented to the electorate that then chooses amongst the various options. In US, because govt is fragmented (i.e. legislature separated from executive; state versus local govt), there are problems with co-ordination of all institutions Party is the key means whereby disparate institutions can co-ordinate the formulation and implementation of policies.
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Functions of Parties (4)
Interest Articulation and Aggregation:
Groups with specific interests need some means whereby their demands can be taken together and articulated in government. Parties articulate and aggregate various societal interests parties are vehicles through which business, labour, religious, ethnic or other groups advance or defend their various interests. US examples:
Democrats were the historically the party of Southern interests and by the 30s they became also the party of the Northern Industrial working class. The Republicans during the civil war were identified with national unity and later on were seen as the 9 party most interest in free-enterprise and corporate
Functions of Parties (5)
Socialization and Mobilization:
Parties are significant agents of political education and socialization They do this through internal debate and discussion and election campaigning Issues that parties focus on set the „agenda‟ The values and attitudes that parties articulate become part of the larger political culture (i.e. values and ideals held by people).
Example: Views on immigration Should children of 3rd country nationals born in Eire be granted 10 citizenship?
Functions of Parties (6)
Organization of Government:
Parties help with the formation of govts. Parties give govts a degree of stability and coherence (especially if govt is drawn from a single party) Parties facilitate cooperation between the executive and assemblies Parties also provide a source of opposition and criticism, both inside and outside government.
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Nevertheless, there are Probs in Parties…..
Splitting and Factionalisation: Some parties are factionalized and do eventually split an
And much of what is fascinating in politics happens when a party splits (PSOE; PDs)
Power tends to be limited to leadership
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely!
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Parties and Ideology
Much of what we think of as the salient ideologies in a political system are represented by political parties These same ideologies tend to be important across borders Parties representing different interests can be thought to belong to different party families
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Party Types and Ideology
„Left Wing‟ Socialist, social democratic, labour parties „Centrist‟ Liberal, progressive parties „Right wing‟ Conservative parties; Christian Democrats „Nationalist‟ Nationalist, regional, ethnic parties „Environmental‟ Green, Ecology parties
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Which parties dominate?
Different in different countries Depends on the salient policy issues and electoral systems Many seem to be placed on a left-right continuum
Although some, such as Nationalists, can be right or left wing ERC in Catalunya, and PNV in Basque country
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Irish party positions 2002
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Party Systems: 1 Party System
Political systems in which a single party enjoys a monopoly of power through the exclusion of all other parties Such states can be considered „one party states.‟
One example is found where ruling communist parties direct and control all institutions Another is seen in developing world, associated with anti-colonial nationalism and state consolodation (i.e. Ghana and Zimbabwe).
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The Three criteria of 2 Party Systems
Although minor parties exist, only 2 parties realistically will form government The larger party is able to rule alone (given that it has legislative majority) and the other party forms the opposition Power alternates between the two parties Examples US, UK and (historically) Canada.
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Dominant Party System
Although a number of parties can compete for power in regular and popular elections, the system is DOMINATED by a single major party that subsequently enjoys prolonged periods in power System is characterized by weak and ineffective opposition.
Japan: Until 1993, Liberal Democratic Party was in power for 38 years India: Congress party in power for 30 years starting in 1947.
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Multiparty Systems
A Multiparty system is characterized by competition amongst more than 2 parties, reducing the chances of single-party government and increasing the chances of coalitions. Strength: create internal checks and balances within govt; favoring debate, conciliation and compromise Weakness: difficulty in coalition govt formation: can lead to fractured and unstable govts (see for example, Italy).
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Decline of Parties: What is it?
What is meant by Party Decline? Decreasing Membership Decreasing identification with a party (cf. surveys) Decreasing ideological cohesion in the party Decreasing electoral turnout.
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Why have many states witnessed Party Decline?
Increasing power of economic interests in determining public policy (i.e. party can‟t do much). Increasing cynicism about the honesty of politicians. How Important is the Media in this regard? Decreasing patronage (i.e. because you will get less rewards supporting a party, you just don‟t support them anymore.)
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Why have many states witnessed Party Decline?
No increased powers in choosing leaders for citizens
Even in US despite McGovern Fraser Reforms in which minorities, women and youth could partake in the leadership selection process, still a small percentage of population partake in selecting the leader for the next election. In fact, one criticism is that national nominating conventions have become “Media Circuses.”
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Why have many states witnessed Party Decline?
In trying to be „catch-all parties‟, parties are actually becoming less appealing; and there are fewer people who
identify with parties, or feel any „solidarity‟ with them.
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