Abstract
In this volume, the editors have collected contributions from scholars specialising in party politics, with the aim of problematising the concept of ‘intra-party democracy’ (IPD). This is a controversial topic that has been much debated because it concerns not only the distribution of power within parties, but also opposing definitions of party membership and different perceptions of democracy.
The editors have structured the book around a particular focus, in which they asked prospective contributors certain fundamental questions aimed at clarifying the most important features of a party's internal organisation and operation that relate to democracy: what aspects of a party's internal activity are subject to democratic determination; which democratic values are prioritised; who is empowered to make decisions; what are the perceived trade-offs between different IPD approaches; and how are these influenced by the context in which a party operates? (p. 6). In an effort to investigate these questions, the contributions examine and discuss nine exceptional case studies that involve different parameters that define or influence IPD: model of organisation, legal provisions, societal factors, the role of membership, women's participation, party leadership selection methods, policy development, candidate selection and party finance.
The editors themselves acknowledge (pp. 175–6) that they do not aspire to provide the reader with definitive or normative answers. Rather, they aim to ask questions and highlight the complexities, ambiguities and challenges involved in attempting to define and evaluate IPD. They also seek to set a research agenda for scholars working in this field.
On the negative side, the editors only indirectly address the issue of ideology and the way different party families perceive IPD – a highly important variable that can contribute much to our understanding of IPD. Nevertheless, the volume succeeds in giving its readers important, constructive knowledge and new information related to the internal life of political parties – a vital feature of party and democratic politics.
The Challenges of Intra-Party Democracy is a well-written, empirically rich and theoretically informed volume that is articulated along solid research questions. The book will be of interest and use to those scholars interested in studying in-depth this important field that concerns democratic norms, values and practices not only within parties, but in society at large. The volume is a welcome addition to the field of IPD specifically, and comparative party politics more generally, and should prove invaluable to students and scholars.