Party Membership in Ireland

Abstract

A large-scale survey of the members of Fine Gael, Ireland’s second largest party, marks the first exploration of the membership of an Irish political party. Fine Gael members turn out to be of long standing (the average member joined in 1976) and to be older than the party’s voters. Their levels of activism appear respectable, and most perform a linkage role between civil society and members of parliament, but there are signs that activism is declining. Almost half the members have a link to an individual politician and regard themselves as supporters of that politician, an indication of the personal networks that exist within the party structure. On moral issues members are more liberal than voters, but generally there is no sign that members are ‘extremists’ when compared with voters; members’ views are, in fact, quite middle-of-the-road. Members’ perceptions of the Irish party system are explored.