This ambitious study examines political change in Norway to offer more general lessons on the evolution of representative democracy ‘after the mass party.’ Using an unusually rich trove of longitudinal data on Norwegian voters, MPs, conference delegates, and party members, it thoughtfully investigates how—and whether—party organizational change affects congruence between MPs and those whom they represent. This book’s lively engagement with widely-shared theoretical assumptions, and its careful empirical work, make it recommended reading for everyone with an interest in the evolution of political parties in contemporary parliamentary democracies.
- Susan Scarrow, Department Chair of Political Science, University of Houston,
Political parties have not lost their function but are alive and kicking. The membership of political parties has declined but in contrast to what is generally believed their capacity to represent the voters has not. Political parties are as representative as ever. This is the surprising conclusion of this book on the development of political parties and representative democracy in Norway. It is a must read for anyone interested in political parties and representative democracy.
- Jacques Thomassen, University of Twente,