Where Now For European Political Parties?
Political parties perform important roles in European societies. Parties are institutions in which citizens with similar political views organise, develop political programmes and actively participate in the political process. They are vital for democracy because parties offer the most clear-cut political choices that are put to the electorate. Parties are also recruitment organisations, through which parliamentarians and members of government are sourced. Even though the latter functions are important, the general effectiveness of parties is closely linked to the first characteristic: their societal embeddedness – the main channel between a party and citizens. And in this respect, political parties have been declining dramatically.
The demise of political parties is not a new phenomenon. Since at least the 1980s, parties in all established European democracies have suffered massive membership losses to the point where they only retain a very limited capacity to engage citizens. The societal anchor of political parties is seriously threatened. Vernon Bogdanor wrote in 2006 that ‘the story of the rise and fall of the mass political party is one of the great unwritten books of our time’. So why do I pick this rather old problem up again in 2009? Not because I want to write the obituary of the mass political party but because we can now see where the development of political parties might lead us. This potential new future became apparent during the US Presidential campaign.
Additionally to his remarkable personal qualities, Barack Obama – during the Democratic primaries, the Presidential campaign and now even as sitting President – has been extremely successful in using new communication technologies to connect directly with citizens. Through the use of social networking tools, online video messaging and almost real time updates on what was happening on the campaign trail – and by making many of these tools available to his supporters too – he was able to create a community that was not only prepared to vote for him but willing to organise and campaign on the local level. He was able to create a political movement he can now build upon. Read the rest of this entry »
Politics Are a Hot Topic in Chicago
Politics have been a part of Chicago for some time. By politics we mean the heated politics of Chicago. From the University of Chicago, which has seen some great political leaders, to the leaders of Chicago in the past who were known to have mob connections, Chicago has been a political firecracker for some time.
They say that the two things you should never discuss are politics and religion, but that does not stop a lot of the talk of the heated politics of Chicago. Many people want to know Chicago politics inside and out, and want to know what the big news for the city’s political scene is. This love for the Chicago political scene is something many in the city share. However, finding people to talk to about politics can be extremely difficult to do.
Just as the history of Chicago has been very diverse, so have its political views. The politics of Chicago have not only been heated, but have led to impacts in the nation that is here today. They have also laid the groundwork to a number of events that would be factors in the world as a whole as a well. Some of the newer cities of the United States have to give thanks to some of the greater minds and political views of the Windy City.
In recent years, some of the greats in the corporate world and political world have sought places in the Southwestern United States. Some have seen this as a means of fleeing the fires that they fueled in Chicago, other have merely seen this as them wanting to have a transition to the next stage of their lives. The heated politics of Chicago can literally eat someone alive and spit out the remains without a second thought. That is part of what makes Chicago one of the political centers and also one of the hot spots for change in the Midwest. Read the rest of this entry »
Online Political Science Degree – Be A Success – Make A Change
After successfully completing an online political science degree from an accredited university or school, political science majors see world events from various perspectives. There are those who pursue this degree in hopes of launching a political or civil service career. However, there are various other career options.
You can be a high school teacher, college professor, campaign manager, legislative aid, agency specialist, state legislator, district attorney, legislative attorney, consultant, lobbyist, press secretary or even a judge. With these job options, the salary and benefits you can receive is definitely more than sufficient.
Since most voters usually decide at the spur of the moment, political science students learn how to research on context, particularly about different governments which have either failed or thrived in their social agendas. Political Science students concentrate on specific areas of politics such as international relations or the local government.
It is a sad fact that there are politicians who don’t really understand minor to major issues which their constituents are facing. To resolve this, they rely on a team of expert consultants and analysts which can fill in gaps for their election platforms. With knowledge on these specializations, students are able to build a track record of research. Later on, they can use these in gaining expertise on their chosen fields.
Whether it’s an on-campus or online political science degree program, most universities and colleges encourage their students to participate in their specific department. They require their students to complete short certificate programs or to commit to a lifelong career via a PhD in their chose specialty. There are various political science degree programs you can choose from depending on your level of education and background. Read the rest of this entry »
