Independents and the Party System

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23735014
AutoresLiam Weeks (0000-0003-3067-9029, University College Cork, autor de correspondencia)
Año2021
Páginas539-C31.P61
Fecha de publicación2021-08-11
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoCHAPTER
RevistaOxford Handbook of Irish Politics (SOURCE_BOOK)
EditorialOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198823834.013.31
OpenAlexW4213242718
ISBN9780198823834
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas15

The presence of independents in the Irish political system is unusual from a comparative perspective. Sometimes seen as an idiosyncratic phenomenon, they are analysed in terms of their relation to the party system, and categorized in a manner similar to that applied to party families. Why independents do not form parties is analysed from an institutional and behavioural perspective, showing that there are a number of incentives for political entrepreneurs to remain as independents rather than transition to a new party. The nature of support for independents is assessed through a populist lens, considering if independents take the place of populist parties in the electoral marketplace. It is found that independents have more in common with left-wing progressives than right-wing nativists. The final section examines the role of independents in the government formation process, showing that the levels of stability and output are not as low as might be expected.

Democracy · Economics · Incentive · Market economy · Perspective (graphical) · Phenomenon · Political economy · Political science · Political system · Politics · Sociology · Irish and British Studies · Law