Suchergebnisse

Provides a critical review of the party-decline literature exposing analytical biases & value-laden assumptions underneath these studies. Four types of criticism are analyzed: (1) the denial of party; (2) the selective rejection of certain parties; (3) the selective rejection of certain party systems; & (4) the redundancy of party. The writings since the beginning of the 20th century regarding the 'crisis' of political parties &, since 1970, of 'party decline' are critically analyzed. Acceptance of the British two-party system & rejection of the multiparty systems in Europe has been reversed under improved empirical styles of comparative political science research. Some critics have argued that parties have become redundant, & in completing their role of mobilizing the public, have become mere electoral machines. It is concluded that the parties in Western Europe have been negatively evaluated through speculative statements that have left them as 'inexorable' trends -- mass, catch-all, or 'waning' parties. Biases need to be recognized; criteria to judge parties & party systems established; & their roles & functions identified in order to conduct a full empirical study of political parties & their changing & complex development. L. A. Hoffman

Traditionally, the rule of law is differentiated into two domains: one in which it is created & another in which it is applied. Michel Foucault challenges this distinction by arguing that the rule of law is simultaneously implicated in the creation & maintenance of specific forms of political order. However, a close analysis of Foucault's later writings reveals that his views on the rule of law were more ambiguous than is commonly supposed. Instead of ruling out the possibility of law outside the exercise of political power, Foucault offers at least two notions, the practices of liberty & nonpolemical dialogue, which might form the foundations for law. It is suggested that, in such notions, Foucault implicitly agrees with the sense that something has to create the conditions for social order & social identity. Though that something for Foucault was not the state or civil society -- two liberal answers to the issue -- his later works indicate that he held out the possibility of some foundational basis for the law. D. Ryfe

Considers possible explanations for women's lack of influence on politics, particularly regarding war & peace. Evidence is given for the problematic nature of lumping women into one category for political purposes. Does the size of a minority, in this case, women, matter? Kanter's observations on the relative proportion of women to uniform, skewed, tilted, or balanced groups are included. A challenge stems from Hacker's writing on the "minority status" of women despite their placement or numerical representation in organizations. The potential impact of greater female involvement in decision making is viewed in terms of female politicians' potency, reactions to female politicians, political culture, the historic omission of women from political discourse, & policy changes. Also considered are critical mass, female or gender-neutral quotas, & quota systems in legislation & political parties. Examples from the Danish Social Democratic Party, the Norwegian Labor Party, & the Swedish Social Democratic Party are included, & suggestions are offered for more gender-sensitive platforms. M. C. Leary