par Van Haute, Emilie 
;whiteley, Paul
Référence ECPR General Conference - Section 'Changes in Participation and Representation' (10-12 septembre 2009: Potsdam)
Publication Non publié, 2009-09-11
;whiteley, PaulRéférence ECPR General Conference - Section 'Changes in Participation and Representation' (10-12 septembre 2009: Potsdam)
Publication Non publié, 2009-09-11
Communication à un colloque
| Résumé : | In building the parliamentary democracy, parties as membership organizations are crucial in exercising the linkage function of political participation and representation between citizens and the State (Poguntke 2002). At their core, parties have always attracted members who have both participated in the community of supporters and have been decisive actors in the minimal conventional participation, that of electoral participation (Whiteley, Seyd & Richardson 1994). Members are also critical in the implementation of social and political representation (Widfelt 1999). In the last twenty years, a number of political scientists have focused on the causes and consequences of a decline in party membership (Mair & Van Biezen 2001) and in the parties’ own interest in their members (Scarrow 1996). Though controversial, this debate is today on the agenda of studies of political activism or parties’ organizational changes. Part of the debate refers to the potential changes linked to the shifts in party organization, the shifts of power downwards - regionalization - and upwards - Europeanization and internationalization - and of substantial transformations linked to the introduction and exploitation of new communication media. The panel welcomes papers questioning the causes and consequences of these shifts on party membership, the ability of party members to exercise their linkage function (participation and representation), and the willingness of party organizations and leaders to do so. |
