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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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