FREE POLITICAL STUDIES GUIDE 2007

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The death of the political party, like the death of the novel, is an event periodically predicted yet, curiously, never reached. The extensive coverage of the recent British party conference season may be taken as proof of these institutions' continued vigour. However, as Vernon Bogdanor notes, the precipitous decline in membership over the last 50 years shows that the mass party is fast vanishing. Voter attachment has weakened and turnout is low.

In an age when communication is so advanced that direct mass democracy – with daily votes via laptops across the land, perhaps – would be entirely possible, some may be tempted to call for an end to party. Yet representative democracy has long been our chief safeguard against the tyranny of the majority. As that system cannot function without party, we had better hope that reports of its death remain greatly exaggerated.

SUPPLEMENT CONTENTS

The faint pulse of party politics
An introduction to the New Statesman Political Studies Guide 2007

Vernon Bogdanor - The rise and fall of the political party
In an era where individualism, not collectivism, has become the leitmotif, the mass party is dying on its feet. Political leaders, says Vernon Bogdanor, must adapt for an age in which participation reaches beyond party

Paul Webb - Political parties in comparative perspective
Political parties across the world appear to be in crisis. However, argues Paul Webb, democracy's hold is strongest where party politics is most developed. He reviews political parties in today's democratic world.

Sholto Byrnes - Example of a successful political party: UMNO


Sholto Byrnes - Bizarre political parties: The Boston Tea Party


Peter Kellner - Reform could lead to a seismic upheaval
There are frequent calls to reform Britain's voting system. Peter Kellner reveals who would be the winners and losers if MPs were elected under a range of alternative systems


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