When & how do party systems change? Party system change When & how do party systems change?

The Department of Political Science Presents Figuring out what's broke: Assessing the effects of ownership on political news content Dr. Kelly Blidook Department of Political Science Memorial University of Newfoundland Friday March 13, 2009 SN2033 2:30pm 2

Reminder Research paper outlines due in class on Tuesday, March 17th These should contain: A re-statement of the topic, including a thesis statement The argument as you think it will develop, in point form Papers due Thursday, March 31st

Lipset and Rokkan (1967): Western European party alignments were ‘frozen’ The party systems of the 1960s resembled with few but significant exceptions, the party system of the 1920s Parties and party alternatives were older than some of the voters

How valid? Correct from perspective of 1960s: However, Postwar party systems had settled into patterns resembling those of the 1920s However, parties and what they stood for had changed There had also been considerable volatility – shifting back & forth in the interwar period Changes began appearing from late 1960s, 1970s Left-libertarian parties (Greens, left Socialists..) Enthno-nationalist parties (Belgium) New right populist parties

Why party systems stabilize Cleavage structure Voter loyalties Passed from generation to generation? Reinforced by cleavage structure Established parties trade on experience Attract the politically ambitious Have ‘reserves’ of people Have recovery potential – able to bounce back

Sources of change Entry of new voters & new generations Value change Voters raised in affluence pursue different goals than those who came of age in the depression or war Changes in cleavage structure New parties, if they can make themselves heard, can reset agendas Especially true of new right populist parties