Drawing upon both the \u201cparty democratization\u201d and \u201cdecline in party member- ship\u201d literature, this paper explores how party members perceive the introduction of primary elections as procedures for selecting candidates and\/or party leaders. Using Italy as an illustration, the analysis of survey data on party members from three major parties (Partito Democratico, Lega Nord, Movimento 5 Stelle) reveals three main findings. First, members approve and positively assess the adoption of new procedures of intra-party democracy. Second, membership opinions on intra- party democracy are clearly determined by the organizational structures of the party. Granting formal powers over not only to party members, but also supporters and voters, may hide a weakening of the role of the party on the ground and that it even- tually limits the organizational function of party grassroots to a \u201ccheerleading\u201d role. Third, new members differ significantly from long-standing members in their atti- tudes and behaviour.<\/p>\n
Intra-party democracy; Membership surveys; Party membership; Political parties\u2019 organization; Primary elections<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seddone, A., Sandri, G. Primary elections and party grassroots: participation, innovation and resistance. Eur Polit Sci<\/i> (2020). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1057\/s41304-020-00268-9 <\/p>\n\n\n\n