the party system

what do parties do? (6)

1. simplify and structure choices

2. organize and mobilize campaigns (most people are involved in politics through political parties)

3. articulation and aggregation of interests

4. channel communication, consultation, and debate

5. train, recruit, and select candidates

6. organize government

duverger’s law

“the plurality single ballot rule tends to party dualism”

electoral parties

parties that seek seats in an election

parliamentary parties

parties that gain seats

relevant parties

parties that respond to current issues

effective parties

either electoral or parliamentary

number of parties in a system → and the relative weight/standing of each

• e.g., 3 parties with 33% of seats → perfectly equally effective parties

• 2 parties with 40% and one with 20%, the third is less effective