A Tendency to Differ: New Party Elites

Abstract

One account of parties describes them as being made up of three elements: the party as an organisation; the party in the electorate and the elected representatives of the party (Sorauf, 1984). The voters and the organisation are examined in subsequent chapters. This chapter addresses the elites — the elected representatives of the parties. Similarities at the level of the parties’ organisation and electorate extend to the elite. In many respects, the electoral constituency and the shape of the party organisation depends on who people the party and how they portray the party.