Political parties were at the heart of the traditional narrative of British democracy. But parties
as agents of political mobilisation are in decline. By contrast, membership of political …

Research Highlights and Abstract This article Applies the theoretical framework of
'individualisation'to political parties and policy participation. Suggests a new model of policy …

This article draws on academic research to offer an overview of recent developments in
political parties, but also seeks to pin-point the challenges they face and suggest ways of …

This chapter argues that the ways in which individual citizens engage with politics are
changing. It is different to the three previous chapters in this section, as it focuses on …

Why does politics matter? This is an increasingly relevant question in our disenchanted
times and Gerry Stoker has the answer (2006, p. 7):'Because it reflects the tensions created …

Democracy in Britain would appear to be in decline. Fewer people are joining political
parties; fewer people are participating in general elections; and mass protest on a wide …

The recent arrival of interpretive approaches in political science, particularly in the area of
political ideologies and public administration, has asserted the importance of understanding …

Cartel party theory has put the study of party-state relations high on the research agenda,
deliberately shifting the focus of researchers away from an understanding of political parties …

In recent years many scholars have diagnosed a crisis of party politics. This article considers
recent changes in the UK and Europe that appear to challenge this idea. Exploring Colin …

This article reflects on the current performance of political parties in the UK, using Alan
Ware's conceptual distinction between democracy as a means of interest optimalisation …