Suchergebnisse

This introduction to a collection of essays poses some of the questions addressed by them: What is the role of political parties in contemporary industrial democracies? How relevant & vital are they to the functioning of democracies? Do they represent citizens & foster their civic involvement? Or are they being superseded by other means of linking citizens & their state? The essays present case studies of long-established democratic societies, focusing on Western Europe, North America, & Australasia (though a second volume is planned that will address budding democracies around the world). Each case study examines the popular legitimacy of parties, party organizational strength, & the systemic functionality of parties. As a whole, the book offers insights into the changing nature & performance of modern political parties. References. J. Stanton

Political parties occupy a unique intermediate position between civil society and the public political realm and provide a hybrid and semi-institutional connection between the two domains. In this article I argue that, in order to preserve their unique and hybrid nature, political parties ought to balance partiality and unity and abide by a set of normative criteria, above all respect for party pluralism and for the institutional framework in which they operate. By complying with these criteria, political parties can convey values and interests in a way that favours democracy.