POLI 4484 Seminar on Political Parties

This seminar will offer a survey of the literature on political institutions and specifically political parties. Political parties, the 'quintessential institution of modern politics' have facilitated the transition to mass democracy in 19th century Europe and North America, and later in the post-colonial world. While they are challenged by populist movements across the world, and a general decline of traditional partisan attachment, they remain fundamental to the organization of political participation and functioning of democratic regimes. The course will begin with discussions of collective action, the nature of political institutions, to review the formation of party systems, the nature of party-voter linkages and the impact of political parties on the quality of democracy in general.