Party systems, factionalism and patterns of democratization: Cross‐national comparisons in southern Europe

Abstract

The significance of factionalism for democratization is established by starting with the general importance of political parties in that process. It follows that any positive or negative influence by factionalism on their performance at this formative stage is likely to affect the prospects for democratization. The problem is approached three‐dimensionally: the historical dimension; cultural and organizational continuity; and adaptation to the new democratic politics. The four southern European cases of Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal are examined comparatively. Variables like the length of previous authoritarian system, early party system fragmentation, party mergers, cleavage divisions and pressures from working the new democratic procedures are all important in determining the scope for factionalism as an influence during democratic transition.