Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module, students should have an enhanced understanding of the following topics, and the relevant academic literature:
• The theoretical arguments for why parties are important in representative democracy, and prominent critiques of parties and their role;
• The development of party organisations over time, and the different models party organisation can follow;
• The role of party members in the internal life of political parties;
• The different forms of candidate selection within parties;
• How factionalism operates within parties;
• Discuss the current and future challenges facing political parties, including from alternative forms of governance.
Furthermore, by the end of this module, students should be able to:
• Critically engage with academic writings and theories;
• Explain key concepts about parties to others both verbally and in writing; and
• Utilise empirical evidence from political parties across representative democracies when engaging with, or developing, theories.