Party systems: An initial view

Midterm Thursday, Feb. 26 th Thursday, Feb. 26 th Two parts: Two parts: Part I Short essays: Briefly comment on the validity of six (6) of the following statements. Part I Short essays: Briefly comment on the validity of six (6) of the following statements. 10 points each, 40% (35 minutes) 10 points each, 40% (35 minutes) Part II Longer essay. Answer one (1) of the following questions: Part II Longer essay. Answer one (1) of the following questions: 40% 40 minutes 40% 40 minutes

What is a party system? Implies: Implies: Parts Parts Regular, recurring, systematic, interaction Regular, recurring, systematic, interaction Party system = the milieu or environment in which parties interact with each other Party system = the milieu or environment in which parties interact with each other `Systemness: `Systemness: Has the character of being a system Has the character of being a system Each party’s strategy, tactics, and behaviour affected (among other things) by what other parties do Each party’s strategy, tactics, and behaviour affected (among other things) by what other parties do

Party systems: System: any regular, recurring pattern of interaction System: any regular, recurring pattern of interaction Party system: the context in which parties operate and interact with each other. Party system: the context in which parties operate and interact with each other. Systemic features: Systemic features: what one party does influences others what one party does influences others they need to take account of its behaviour, strategies, the support which it can win they need to take account of its behaviour, strategies, the support which it can win

Ways in which party systems vary: Differences in number of parties: Differences in number of parties: Two party Two party Multiparty Multiparty Moderate Moderate Extended (“extreme”) Extended (“extreme”) Differences in the degree of polarization Differences in the degree of polarization Differences in the number of dimensions along which parties compete Differences in the number of dimensions along which parties compete

Making sense of party systems Classifications usually based on Number of political parties Number of political parties But how do you count them? But how do you count them? Extent of polarization: how far apart are they? Poles apart Extent of polarization: how far apart are they? Poles apart Other relevant factors: Number of dimensions or factors on which parties divide Number of dimensions or factors on which parties divide

Counting parties: Do you count all parties contesting elections or only parties of significance? Do you count all parties contesting elections or only parties of significance? If so, how do you tell? If so, how do you tell? Giovanni Sartori’s counting rules: Giovanni Sartori’s counting rules: Include all parties winning 5% or more Include all parties winning 5% or more Include smaller parties if they have blackmail potential (e.g. their seats in parliament are needed to form a coalition) Include smaller parties if they have blackmail potential (e.g. their seats in parliament are needed to form a coalition)

Types of party systems Basic Jean Blondel Giovanni Sartori One party One party dominant Two party Multiparty Two and a half party Moderate Multiparty Multiparty Extreme multiparty

Accounting for differences: Standard explanations: Party systems rooted in patterns of cleavage Party systems rooted in patterns of cleavage The impact of electoral laws The impact of electoral laws PR vs. SMP PR vs. SMP Other considerations: Chicken or egg: which came first? Chicken or egg: which came first? Patterns of mobilization and the freezing of electoral alignments Patterns of mobilization and the freezing of electoral alignments

What difference does it make? Impact of the number of parties: on electoral choice? on electoral choice? on political accountability? on political accountability? on cabinet stability? on cabinet stability? Impact of polarization: What problems does a more polarized party system create? What problems does a more polarized party system create?