The ‘cartel party’ concept proposed by Richard S. Katz and Peter Mair in Party Politics provoked a debate between the authors and Ruud Koole. In this paper I will redraw and assess this debate concluding with some own remarks.
In their piece Katz & Mair challenge the predominance of the ‘mass party’ or ‘catch-all party’-models in the literature on political parties. The contemporary problems in applying these models are usually being interpreted as a ‘decline of party’. In contrast to that, Katz & Mair propose a new model, the so-called cartel party as an ideal type towards party organization is developing. To illustrate this, the authors draw evolutionary stages of party development underlining in particular the relative position of parties in front of state and civil society and the reflection of that relationship in the inner-party organization, their finances, and the underlying concept of democracy.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. THE CONCEPT OF THE ‘CARTEL PARTY’
- A) THE EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH
- B) FEATURES OF THE CARTEL PARTY
- 2. CRITICISM AND REJOINDER
- C) STATE AND SOCIETY
- D) THE PARTY SYSTEM
- E) THE INDIVIDUAL PARTY
- F) THE EVOLUTIONARY ASPECT
- 3. COMMENTS AND ASSESSMENT
- 4. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper re-examines the debate between Katz & Mair and Ruud Koole regarding the "cartel party" concept. It assesses the arguments for and against this model as an evolving form of party organization, considering its implications for the relationship between parties, the state, and civil society.
- Evolution of party organization from cadre parties to mass parties to cartel parties.
- The relationship between political parties, the state, and civil society.
- The role of money and media in shaping party competition.
- The changing nature of party democracy and internal party structures.
- Critique of the cartel party model and counterarguments.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. THE CONCEPT OF THE ‘CARTEL PARTY’: This chapter introduces the "cartel party" model proposed by Katz & Mair as an alternative to the prevalent "mass party" and "catch-all party" models. It highlights the limitations of these existing models in explaining contemporary party dynamics. The chapter traces the historical evolution of party organization, from elite cadre parties to mass parties, showing how the latter eventually gave way to cartel parties characterized by decreased reliance on membership and increased dependence on state resources. The evolutionary approach underscores how the relationship between parties, the state, and civil society has shifted, impacting party structure, finances, and the very nature of democracy itself.
2. CRITICISM AND REJOINDER: This section presents Koole's critique of Katz & Mair's cartel party model and Katz & Mair's subsequent rejoinder. Koole challenges the assertion of growing distance between parties and civil society, arguing that the blurring lines between state and civil society complicate this claim. He also criticizes the neglect of other important aspects of mass parties. Katz & Mair respond to these criticisms, clarifying their model and addressing concerns about the role of mass parties in a broader civil society, while maintaining the core argument of the cartel party's emergence as a dominant organizational form.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Cartel party, mass party, catch-all party, party organization, party democracy, state-society relations, political parties, party finance, party competition, political entrepreneurship, elite parties, evolution of parties, Koole critique, Katz & Mair model.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Re-examination of the "Cartel Party" Concept
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper delves into a critical re-examination of the "cartel party" concept, specifically focusing on the debate between Katz & Mair and Ruud Koole. It analyzes the arguments for and against this model as a significant development in party organization, exploring its implications for the interplay between political parties, the state, and civil society.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
The key themes include the evolution of party organization (from cadre parties to mass parties to cartel parties), the complex relationship between political parties, the state, and civil society, the influence of money and media on party competition, the changing dynamics of party democracy and internal party structures, and a thorough critique of the cartel party model along with counterarguments.
What models of party organization are discussed?
The paper primarily focuses on three models: cadre parties, mass parties, and cartel parties. It examines the transition between these models and argues that the cartel party model best represents contemporary party dynamics, although this is challenged and debated within the text.
Who are the key figures in the debate surrounding the "cartel party" concept?
The central figures in the debate are Katz & Mair, who initially proposed the "cartel party" model, and Ruud Koole, who offered a critical assessment of this model. The paper presents both sides of this argument.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four main sections: 1. The Concept of the ‘Cartel Party’, which introduces the model and its historical context; 2. Criticism and Rejoinder, presenting Koole's critique and Katz & Mair's response; 3. Comments and Assessment (implied, though not explicitly detailed in the provided summary); and 4. Bibliography.
What are the key criticisms of the "cartel party" model?
Koole's critique challenges the assertion of growing distance between parties and civil society, highlighting the blurring lines between state and civil society. He also criticizes the model's perceived neglect of other essential aspects of mass parties.
How does the paper address the criticisms of the "cartel party" model?
Katz & Mair respond to these criticisms by clarifying their model and addressing concerns about the role of mass parties in civil society, while upholding the central argument of the cartel party's emergence as a dominant organizational form.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Cartel party, mass party, catch-all party, party organization, party democracy, state-society relations, political parties, party finance, party competition, political entrepreneurship, elite parties, evolution of parties, Koole critique, Katz & Mair model.
- Quote paper
- Maximilian Spinner (Author), 2002, The Katz & Mair - Koole Debate about 'Cartel Parties', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13410
