Political Parties and Party Systems

Parties

Serve as intermediaries and linkage structures between the public and the government

Difference between parties and interests groups

Only parties are active in the electoral arena

Where do Political Parties come from

Class, religion, rural/urban, center/periphery, ethnic/linguistic, postmaterialism (niche parties)

Party Functions

Electorate (citizens as members)

Organization (RNC or DNC)

Government

Negative qualities of parties in illiberal democracies and authoritarian states

Vehicle for strong leader, conduit for corruption, can threaten or bribe voters, and marginalize competition

Types of Party Systems

Dominant Party

2 Party

Moderate (4-6 Parties) (Germany)

Polarized (+6 Parties) (Belgium)

Determinants of Party System

Electoral System

History

Homogeneity/Heterogeneity of Society

Changing Party Ideologies

Voter preferences

Dealignment

Effects of Party System

Number of parties in congress/parliament

Government types

Policy outcomes