Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies (Paperback)

Paul Webb

ISBN 10: 0199240566 / ISBN 13: 9780199240562

Editore: Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002

Riguardo questo articolo

Paperback. How relevant and vital are political parties in contemporary democracies? Do they fulfill the functions that any stable and effective democracy might expect of them, or are they little more than moribund anachronisms, relics of a past age of political life, now superseded by other mechanisms of linkage between state and society? These are the central questions which this book aims to address through a rigorous comparative analysis of political parties operating inthe world's advanced industrial democracies. Drawing on the expertise of an impressive team of internationally known specialists, the book engages systematically with the evidence to show that, while adegree of popular cynicism towards them is often chronic, though rarely acute, parties have adapted and survived as organizations, remodelling themselves to the needs of an era in which patterns of linkage and communication with social groups have been transformed. This has enabled them to remain central to democratic systems, especially in respect of the political functions of governance, recruitment and, albeit more problematically, interest aggregation. On the other hand, the challenges theyface in respect of interest articulation, communication and participation have pushed parties into more marginal roles within Western political systems. The implications of these findings fordemocracy depend on the observer's normative and theoretical perspectives. Those who understand democracy primarily in terms of popular choice and control in public affairs will probably see parties as continuing to play a central role, while those who place greater store by the more demanding criteria of optimizing interests and instilling civic orientations among citizens are far more likely to be fundamentally critical. A survey of modern political parties and their role in contemporary democracy. It argues that parties have survived popular cynicism by remodelling themselves to the needs of an era in which patterns of linkage and communication with social groups have been transformed. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Codice articolo 9780199240562

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies (Paperback)
• Editore: Oxford University Press, Oxford
• Data di pubblicazione: 2002
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0199240566
• ISBN 13: 9780199240562
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Condizione: new

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Drawing on the expertise of an impressive team of internationally known specialists, the book engages systematically with the evidence to show that, while a degree of popular cynicism towards them is often chronic, though rarely acute, parties have adapted and survived as organizations, remodelling themselves to the needs of an era in which patterns of linkage and communication with social groups have been transformed.

L'autore

Paul Webb is a Professor of Politics, University of Sussex. David Farrell is a Senior Jean Monnet Lecturer, Department of Government, University of Manchester. Ian Holliday is a Professor of Policy Studies and Head of the Department of Public and Social Administration, City University of Hong Kong.