A Theory of Political Parties: Groups, Policy Demands and Nominations in American Politics
2012/08/16 by Kathleen Bawn, Martin Cohen, David Karol +3 · 863 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · Social Sciences · #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Gender Politics and Representation #Law #Law and economics #Legislature #Loyalty #Polarization (electrochemistry) #Political Influence and Corporate Strategies #Political economy #Political science #Politics #Politics of the United States #Presidency #Public administration #Sociology #State (computer science)
paper · doi:10.1017/s1537592712001624
published in Perspectives on Politics 10(3), 571-597 (Cambridge University Press)
openalex publication_date 2012/08/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract
We propose a theory of political parties in which interest groups and activists are the key actors, and coalitions of groups develop common agendas and screen candidates for party nominations based on loyalty to their agendas. This theoretical stance contrasts with currently dominant theories, which view parties as controlled by election-minded politicians. The difference is normatively important because parties dominated by interest groups and activists are less responsive to voter preferences, even to the point of taking advantage of lapses in voter attention to politics. Our view is consistent with evidence from the formation of national parties in the 1790s, party position change on civil rights and abortion, patterns of polarization in Congress, policy design and nominations for state legislatures, Congress, and the presidency.
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