Political+Parties

=Reading for this section: Crepaz & Steiner, Chapter 2= = =

=Political parties and democracy: history and functions=
 * Popularly condemned, and historically suspected (cf [|Federalist 10])
 * Pre-democratic formations were clubs or caucuses designed to get leaders elected
 * Universal suffrage meant some kind of aggregation, organization, articulation needed
 * Main functions, for political scientists, include
 * 1) Structuring the popular vote
 * 2) Recruiting leaders for public office
 * 3) Formulating policy
 * 4) Organizing power

=A multidimensional political space=
 * Conventional political dimension is left-right
 * Instead, conceptualize parties' ideology along 2 dimensions
 * First dimension: Degree of authoritarianism (Authoritarian-Individualistic; for example on social issues)
 * Second dimension: Degree of state intervention/control of economy

=The parties=
 * ====Socialist (social democratic) parties====
 * ====Liberal parties====
 * ====Conservative parties (and Christian Democrats)====
 * ====The new radical right====
 * ====Green parties====
 * ====Regional parties====

=Research on Political Parties: September 15-17 2008=
 * Take-home learning assignment on European political parties, September 15**

Select one of the following varieties of political parties. Using Google or Wikipedia, locate, if available, a translated manifesto, or public policy program. You could choose either a national party (for example, the German Social Democrats) or a European Parliament grouping (for example, the parties listed at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/groups/default_en.htm).

1. Conservative/Christian Democrat 2. Liberal 3. Social Democratic 4. Green 5. New radical right 6. Far left

After finding the program, read and make notes in answer to the questions below. We will discuss your findings in class on Wednesday September 17.

1. Identify two or more policies and relate them to one of the two-dimensional party mapping tools in Crepaz and Steiner (figs 2.3 & 2.4 attached). Can you place them on the diagram?

2. Find a particularly interesting policy, stance, or argument and highlight or make note of it. Why is it interesting to you? What might it tell you about the party more broadly?

3. Comment, if you are able, on the policy position in comparison to a similar US party.

= =