POLS 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Make America Great Again, Canada House
8 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Acquisition of parties is a mark of political modernization. Parties mirroring or echoing different social dynamics. Open and competitive system that forces parties to response to poplar preferences. If there isn"t real choice, why would parties bother to reflect the views of the people. Once in a while a charismatic figure will come along and parties forms around them, but typically the party either disappears or dwindles in power if these politicians leave. Seen as a mean through which collective goals are created and sometimes carried out. Policy now seems less important and more on charismatic individuals. Increasing disillusion with parties has decreased its capacity to focus on important issues. Historically party of notables -> trained/professional party members. Reliance on an active elite who offer ideological leadership. Most modern parties are catch all parties -> appeal to widest base possible. Goal of this party is to get re-elected.
