Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19
This course explores the role of political parties as a channel of political activism and linkage from the general public to the policy making process. It will examine direct forms of activism and influence-making through political parties, primarily party membership. In addition, however, less conventional forms of activism and influence-making via parties will be explored. These can involve populist parties, and take non-conventional forms such as blockades, burning of books, etc.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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In this course students will explore and analyse the changing role of political parties in political activism, campaigning and their role in providing a linkage between the general public to actual policy making decisions.
The course is divided into two main parts.
In the first part of the course traditional party organisations, membership and activism will be studied in detail. A key aim in this context is to examine the extent to which activism via conventional party organisations is becoming a thing of the past. Will traditional political parties be able to adapt to a drastically changing social and political environment, or are they in the process of becoming completely outdated, and replaced by new forms of activism, communication and attempts to influence the policy-making process? To what extent do democratic processes within the organisations of traditional political parties impact on eventual policy decisions? This part of the course will to a significant extent draw on literature and research on parties and party organisations.
The second part of the course will examine new forms of political parties and the way in which they provide different and innovative channels of activism. Examples of such alternative parties include environmental, feminist and various forms of populist parties, which from varying points of departure have emerged as alternatives to traditional and conventional parties. Such alternative, at times even insurgent, parties often engage in unconventional forms of activism, on occasion challenging prevailing conventions of acceptable democratic discourse and behaviour. This part of the course will be investigating the extent to which new kinds of party can provide an outlet for political activism and expressions of protest, and directly or indirectly make an impact on policy decisions.
Combined, these two parts of the course will provide deepened understanding of the changing role of political parties as providers of linkage between civil society and the state.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written feedback provided online. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse the changing role and relevance of traditional party organisations to the policy making and broader, democratic processes in a changing political and societal environment. |
| Factual | Understand | Understand and assess the impact on democracy and policy making exerted by new and unconventional types of political parties. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Written feedback provided online. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the extent to which new political ideas, demands and expressions of protests can be challenged via political parties, or via other types of political organisation. |
| Reflection | Create | Apply the factual and conceptual knowledge and skills attained in the course to the formulation of creative ideas about citizen involvement in the democratic process. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Critical report, written as a consultancy paper, evaluating an actual election or other political campaign. Written feedback provided online. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse the changing role and relevance of traditional party organisations to the policy making and broader, democratic processes in a changing political and societal environment. |
| Procedural | Apply | Obtain a deeper understanding of participatory democracy and the role of political activism in influencing the policy making process. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the extent to which new political ideas, demands and expressions of protests can be challenged via political parties, or via other types of political organisation. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Resubmission of failed elements. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Analyse the changing role and relevance of traditional party organisations to the policy making and broader, democratic processes in a changing political and societal environment. |
| Factual | Understand | Understand and assess the impact on democracy and policy making exerted by new and unconventional types of political parties. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Evaluate the extent to which new political ideas, demands and expressions of protests can be challenged via political parties, or via other types of political organisation. |
| Reflection | Create | Apply the factual and conceptual knowledge and skills attained in the course to the formulation of creative ideas about citizen involvement in the democratic process. |
| Procedural | Apply | Obtain a deeper understanding of participatory democracy and the role of political activism in influencing the policy making process. |
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