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More than opinion expression

Secondary effects of intraparty referendums on party members

Bibliographic Data

ID6316334
AuthorsAlexander Wuttke (0000-0002-9579-5357, University of Mannheim, corresponding author), Andreas Jungherr (0000-0003-2598-2453, University of Konstanz), Harald Schoen (0000-0001-8893-1579, University of Mannheim)
Year2019
Volume25
Issue6
Pages817-827
Publication date2019-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueParty Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-0688 • E-ISSN: 1460-3683
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1354068817745729
OpenAlexW2773102635
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited34

As political parties expand opportunities for intraparty participation, understanding the effects of participatory events on party actors becomes ever more important. In this study, we investigate the consequences of an intraparty referendum in a state branch of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union on beliefs and attitudes of party members. We use longitudinal survey data bracketing a nonbinding issue referendum on the party’s stance on same-sex marriage. Our analysis shows that the referendum had secondary effects that went beyond the referendum’s primary goal of delivering an informal opinion poll to the party leadership. The experience of having a say in an important policy decision fostered members’ sense of party-specific efficacy. Furthermore, the referendum provided party members with information on elite positions and stimulated leadership evaluation based on issue congruency. Altogether, involvement in intraparty decision-making promotes beliefs and behaviours among the rank and file that are relevant to uphold a vivid and empowering party life

Citizen journalism · Democracy · Elite · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Primary election · Referendum · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Politics and Representation · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration

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Unique citing works16
Citations per year2,29
Citation span2019 - 2026 (8)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 16
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