Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines whether parties' ability to channel voter interests into political institutions has in fact declined in the wake of decline of party membership figures and the increase of state finance of parties. It first looks at relevant empirical studies to summarize what we already know. Second, it presents an in-depth study of Norwegian voters and parties, based on a number of voter, member and parliamentarian surveys conducted between 1990 and 2010. The existing literature is scarce and indecisive, whereas the Norwegian parties still seem to represent voters fairly well, despite the waning of mass parties. The party organizationsthe members, activists, and representativescontinue to channel voter opinions into the Parliament. This book argues that the high and persistent policy congruence between voters and parties revealed might be related to party members and mid-level activists still resemble voters socially and politically to a large degree. At the same time, the party co
Trade ReviewThis ambitious study examines political change in Norway to offer more general lessons on the evolution of representative democracy ‘after the mass party.’ Using an unusually rich trove of longitudinal data on Norwegian voters, MPs, conference delegates, and party members, it thoughtfully investigates how—and whether—party organizational change affects congruence between MPs and those whom they represent. This book’s lively engagement with widely-shared theoretical assumptions, and its careful empirical work, make it recommended reading for everyone with an interest in the evolution of political parties in contemporary parliamentary democracies. -- Susan Scarrow, Department Chair of Political Science, University of Houston
Political parties have not lost their function but are alive and kicking. The membership of political parties has declined but in contrast to what is generally believed their capacity to represent the voters has not. Political parties are as representative as ever. This is the surprising conclusion of this book on the development of political parties and representative democracy in Norway. It is a must read for anyone interested in political parties and representative democracy. -- Jacques Thomassen, University of Twente
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Political Parties and Representative Democracy Chapter 2: Representation by Parties: An Analytical Framework Chapter 3: Parties’ Representative Capacity—What Do We Know? Chapter 4: Norwegian Parties—Prospects for Representation Chapter 5: Participation, Communication, and Influence Chapter 6: Social Representation Chapter 7: Policy Representation Chapter 8: Representative Capacity after the Mass Party
