Chapter 12: Political Parties by Richard S. Katz Caramani (ed.) Comparative Politics Section IV: Actors and processes Chapter 12: Political Parties by Richard S. Katz

Chapter 12: Political parties Introduction (1/1) Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Introduction (1/1) Political parties are among the central actors in politics. Parties are ubiquitous in modern political systems. Governments of most countries are effectively in the hands of party-leaders. It is unlikely that social movements or governance networks will replace parties.

Chapter 12: Political parties Definition of parties (1/1) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Definition of parties (1/1) Since parties are very different in their motivation, organization, behaviour and relevance, it is hardly possible to find an all encompassing definition of parties. Nevertheless, the definition of party is significant, both scientifically and normatively. Most examples of party-definitions combine the following elements: Objective of parties Methods of parties Their role in political competition Autonomous citizens The term “party” is better considered as a category than as an ideal type.

Chapter 12: Political parties Origins of parties (1/2) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Origins of parties (1/2) Not the existence of factions, but their acceptance was the origin of parties (disagreement instead of disloyalty; organization instead of conspiracy). Earlier parties were parties of intraparliamentary origin: Success in gaining control over the executive Rise of parliamentary government Parties of extra-parliamentary origin: Founded to organize those excluded from political participation Succeeded in inducing the established parties to broaden suffrage

Chapter 12: Political parties Origins of parties (2/2) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Origins of parties (2/2) Parties of internal and external origin differ with respect to their: Timing Organization Social basis In the late 20th century a new type of externally originating party appeared: Hierarchical party organization, depending on material resources of its leader Conservative or pro-business Example: Berlusconi’s Forza Italia

Chapter 12: Political parties The functions of parties (1/2) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties The functions of parties (1/2) Political parties perform a number of functions that are central to the operation of modern states: Coordination: With government With society Between government and society Contesting elections: Providing candidates Fund raising for candidates Formulating policy positions

Chapter 12: Political parties The functions of parties (2/2) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties The functions of parties (2/2) (3) Recruitment and selection: Integrating new citizens (e.g. party youth movements) Representation: Social groupings Ideological positions

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (1/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (1/9) Types of parties: Cadre or elite parties: The earliest of “modern” parties (parliamentary origin) No need for a party on the ground due to highly restricted suffrage Mobilizing of personal clientele

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (2/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (2/9) Types of parties (continued) (2) Mass parties: 2nd half of 19th century (extra-parliamentary origin) Representing a particular group or social class Often built on pre-existing organizations (e.g. trade-unions) Strategy of “encapsulation by providing a range of ancillary organizations” Extensive organization, dominated by the party’s elite (“iron law of oligarchy”)

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (3/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (3/9) Types of parties (continued) (3) Catch-all parties: Developed from transformation of mass parties, characterized by: Increasing role of professionals (compared to members) Weaker ideological orientation Strategy to appeal across group boundaries Loosening connection between party and “its” interest organization

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (4/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (4/9) Types of parties (continued) Cartel parties: Pressure on the catch-all model led to four major changes compared to catch-all parties: Agencies of the state rather than of society Disempowering party activists Further privileging professional expertise Parties form a cartel to protect themselves from electoral risk and to get subventions from the state

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (5/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (5/9) Types of parties (continued) (5) Anti-cartel parties: Frustration with mainstream parties Organized around an idea rather than a social grouping left-libertarian-, new right- or movement parties (6) Business-firm parties: Forza Italia as model for parties in the future? (7) Parties in the US: Share many features of cadre parties But candidate selection is run by state regulated primary elections

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (6/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (6/9) Membership: All modern parties claim to have membership organizations. Individual or affiliated membership (trade-unions). Measures of membership: Number of members Ratio of party membership to size of electorate Organizational density (ratio of members to voters) Regardless of how party membership is measured, it has been declining.

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (7/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (7/9) Regulation: Increasing number of countries enacts special “party laws” due to: The centrality of parties to democracy The power of parties Administrative necessities A party becomes official through registration. Registration often brings a bundle of privileges: Contributions are deductible from taxes Ballot access Public subventions

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (8/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (8/9) Finance: Regulation of spending Bans on particular forms of spending (e.g. vote buying) Limitation of total spending Disclosure of spending Regulations of fundraising Limits on individual contributions Prohibition of financing from some sources (e.g. foreigners, corporations, trade-unions, etc.)

Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (9/9) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Models of party organization (9/9) Finance (continued) Public subventions: A growing number of countries provide support for parties through: Tax system (e.g. deductible contributions) Provisions of goods and services (e.g. free air time) Direct financial support (often based on voting shares) Public support for parties is not uncontested: Do financial contributions really help parties to perform their functions better? Promoting equality and fairness?

Parties and the stabilization of democracy (1/1) Chapter 12: Political parties Parties and the stabilization of democracy (1/1) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Parties play an important role in stabilizing democracy by integrating new citizens (immigration, age, suffrage extension) into the existing political system. But their stabilizing effect is not observable everywhere (e.g. formerly communist countries, Islamic world). Whether the electoral success of anti-democratic parties helps to moderate them, or undermines democracy is an open question. Are internally oligarchic parties an asset for state-level democracy? (dilemma for democracy promoting agencies)

Chapter 12: Political parties Conclusion (1/1) Introduction Definition of parties Origins of parties The functions of parties Models of party organization Parties and the stabilization of democracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Political parties Conclusion (1/1) Political parties remain central to democratic government in the 21st century. Nevertheless, parties face a number of challenges: Increasing complexity of problems makes them less tractable Declining party membership More dependent from contributions of special interest groups and from public subventions Increasing role of competing interest organizations