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Right-Wing Populist Party Organisation Across Europe: The Survival of the Mass-Party? Conclusion to the Thematic Issue

Author

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  • Stijn van Kessel

    (School of Politics and International Relations, Queen Mary University of London, UK)

  • Daniele Albertazzi

    (Department of Politics, University of Surrey, UK)

Abstract

This article provides a comparative conclusion to the thematic issue on the organisational characteristics of 12 right-wing populist parties (RWPPs) across Europe. We observe that many RWPPs—at least partially—adopt features of the mass party model. This finding illustrates the ideological aspects behind organisational choices: For populist parties, in particular, it is important to signal societal rootedness and “closeness to the people.” It furthermore challenges the idea that there is a one-way teleological movement towards more lean, electoral-professional kinds of party organisation. At the same time, the case studies clearly illustrate that RWPP leaders and executives continue to exercise great power over their members, who are essentially offered “participation without power.”

Suggested Citation

  • Stijn van Kessel & Daniele Albertazzi, 2021. "Right-Wing Populist Party Organisation Across Europe: The Survival of the Mass-Party? Conclusion to the Thematic Issue," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 365-370.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v9:y:2021:i:4:p:365-370
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v9i4.5003
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Judith Sijstermans, 2021. "The Vlaams Belang: A Mass Party of the 21st Century," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 275-285.
    2. Astrid Barrio & Sonia Alonso Sáenz de Oger & Bonnie N. Field, 2021. "VOX Spain: The Organisational Challenges of a New Radical Right Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 240-251.
    3. Adrian Favero, 2021. "Rootedness, Activism, and Centralization: The Case of the Swiss People’s Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 252-262.
    4. Léonie de Jonge, 2021. "Is the (Mass) Party Really Over? The Case of the Dutch Forum for Democracy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 286-295.
    5. Anna-Sophie Heinze & Manès Weisskircher, 2021. "No Strong Leaders Needed? AfD Party Organisation Between Collective Leadership, Internal Democracy, and “Movement-Party” Strategy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 263-274.
    6. Judith Sijstermans, 2021. "The Vlaams Belang: A Mass Party of the 21st Century," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 275-285.
    7. Tim Haughton & Marek Rybář & Kevin Deegan-Krause, 2021. "Leading the Way, but Also Following the Trend: The Slovak National Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 329-339.
    8. Léonie de Jonge, 2021. "Is the (Mass) Party Really Over? The Case of the Dutch Forum for Democracy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 286-295.
    9. Adrian Favero, 2021. "Rootedness, Activism, and Centralization: The Case of the Swiss People’s Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 252-262.
    10. Bartek Pytlas, 2021. "Party Organisation of PiS in Poland: Between Electoral Rhetoric and Absolutist Practice," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 340-353.
    11. Tim Haughton & Marek Rybář & Kevin Deegan-Krause, 2021. "Leading the Way, but Also Following the Trend: The Slovak National Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 329-339.
    12. Bartek Pytlas, 2021. "Party Organisation of PiS in Poland: Between Electoral Rhetoric and Absolutist Practice," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 340-353.
    13. Niko Hatakka, 2021. "Between Horizontality and Centralisation: Organisational Form and Practice in the Finns Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 296-306.
    14. Anna-Sophie Heinze & Manès Weisskircher, 2021. "No Strong Leaders Needed? AfD Party Organisation Between Collective Leadership, Internal Democracy, and “Movement-Party” Strategy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 263-274.
    15. Niko Hatakka, 2021. "Between Horizontality and Centralisation: Organisational Form and Practice in the Finns Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 296-306.
    16. Astrid Barrio & Sonia Alonso Sáenz de Oger & Bonnie N. Field, 2021. "VOX Spain: The Organisational Challenges of a New Radical Right Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 240-251.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bartek Pytlas, 2021. "Party Organisation of PiS in Poland: Between Electoral Rhetoric and Absolutist Practice," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 340-353.
    2. Niko Hatakka, 2021. "Between Horizontality and Centralisation: Organisational Form and Practice in the Finns Party," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 296-306.

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