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A System Perspective on Party System Change

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  • Gordon Smith

Abstract

Discussions of party system change may be unsatisfactory if insufficient attention is given to the defining properties of a system. A number of dimensions have to be considered, but - as with `social cleavages' - there can be disagreement as to whether a truly constitutive element is involved. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish the various degrees of change that are possible, and in this respect a study of the process of change is essential. Party system typologies are of little help, so that an alternative in the form of `working models' can be employed. The emphasis in this approach is on the identification of the `core components' of the particular system against which the degree of change can be assessed. An examination of representative West European party systems reveals that these core components show a strong persistence.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Smith, 1989. "A System Perspective on Party System Change," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 1(3), pages 349-363, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:1:y:1989:i:3:p:349-363
    DOI: 10.1177/0951692889001003005
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    Cited by:

    1. Zim Nwokora & Riccardo Pelizzo, 2017. "Measuring Party System Change: A Systems Perspective," Research Africa Network Working Papers 17/048, Research Africa Network (RAN).

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