How to Study Political Parties: From Civil Society to the State and Back
Author Information
Author(s): Nicole Bolleyer
Primary Institution: Geschwister Scholl Institute of Political Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, Germany
Hypothesis
Bringing the study of political parties back to civil society will generate a broader understanding of their roles in contemporary democracy.
Conclusion
Political parties remain a central vehicle for member mobilization and engagement in increasingly individualized democracies.
Supporting Evidence
- Political parties are more likely to engage in political activities regularly than interest groups.
- Being a party is associated with a more involved membership.
- Parties tend to provide more varied channels into politics than other membership organizations.
Takeaway
This study looks at how political parties work with society and the state, showing that they are still important for people to get involved in politics.
Methodology
The study analyzed survey data covering 3265 membership organizations, including parties, interest groups, and service-oriented organizations across four European countries.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on mainstream parties and may not fully capture the dynamics of all political organizations.
Participant Demographics
The study includes a diverse range of membership organizations across four European countries.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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