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The Dynamics of Party Activism in Britain: A Spiral of Demobilization?

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  • WHITELEY, PAUL F.
  • SEYD, PATRICK

Abstract

Changes in activism among grassroots members of the Labour and Conservative parties in Britain are modelled using panel surveys in this article, with party members being surveyed before and after the 1992 general election. The evidence suggests that a decline in activism over time has occurred in both parties, but this decline is greater in the Labour party than in the Conservative party. This is attributed to a number of political, cultural and sociological changes in society over time, but in the short run the main factor is the outcome of the general election in 1992. These trends are modelled by means of a ‘general incentives’ theory of activism, which explains the decline in activism in terms of changing incentives for political action. Reductions in incentives for activism were, with one exception, greater for Labour party members than for Conservatives, which explains the differences between the two parties. This may produce a ‘spiral of demobilization’ in which electoral losses produce a decline in activism and campaigning at the local level, which in turn leads to further electoral losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Whiteley, Paul F. & Seyd, Patrick, 1998. "The Dynamics of Party Activism in Britain: A Spiral of Demobilization?," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 28(1), pages 113-137, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:28:y:1998:i:01:p:113-137_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Hager, Anselm & Hensel, Lukas & Hermle, Johannes & Roth, Christopher, 2020. "Does Party Competition Affect Political Activism?," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 488, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    2. Ali Abdelzadeh, 2014. "The Impact of Political Conviction on the Relation Between Winning or Losing and Political Dissatisfaction," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(2), pages 21582440145, May.
    3. Emilie Van Haute & Jean-Benoît Pilet, 2007. "Opening and Democratizing Pilar Parties? Internal reforms in Belgian political parties," Cahiers du CEVIPOL/Brussels Working papers 44258, Centre d'étude de la vie politique (CEVIPOL) of the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Emilie Van Haute & Jean-Benoît Pilet, 2007. "Opening and Democratizing Pilar Parties? Internal reforms in Belgian political parties," CEVIPOL Working Papers 2007/1, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    5. repec:ulb:ulbcvp:p0004 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Charles Pattie & Patrick Seyd & Paul Whiteley, 2003. "Citizenship and Civic Engagement: Attitudes and Behaviour in Britain," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 51(3), pages 443-468, October.

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