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Formal Weakness and Informal Strength? Transnational Socialist Party Cooperation in European Integration

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Transnational Socialist Networks in the 1970s

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in the History of Social Movements ((PSHSM))

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Abstract

Formal dimensions of transnational party cooperation are characterised by structures, decision-making processes and functions that are codified in the statutes of partly or fully institutionalised transnational political networks of parties. Informal cooperation is not codified but, rather, is shaped by habits among and links between individuals. The formal dimensions of politics can have effects on the informal dimensions of politics and vice versa. As these effects depend on the structural conditions of political networks, the specific form of both political dimensions can be stable for a long time. Due to external impacts, internal shocks, reforms, and social and value changes, the formal and informal dimensions can alter rapidly, however. The formation and impact of the policy- and decision-making processes of a political network depend on the reciprocal effects between the formal and informal dimensions of politics.1

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Notes

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    Christian Salm

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Salm, C. (2016). Formal Weakness and Informal Strength? Transnational Socialist Party Cooperation in European Integration. In: Transnational Socialist Networks in the 1970s. Palgrave Studies in the History of Social Movements. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137551207_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137551207_2

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