Passions and Interests: Political Party Concepts of American Democracy, by Gerald M. Pomper

Abstract

As the troubled 20th century nears its end, democracy and competitive political parties are receiving renewed attention. Bridging analysis of political parties and political philosophy, Passions and Interests presents eight conceptual models of political parties with particular relevance to American democracy. Gerald Pomper asks three questions: what meanings are attributed to parties; empirically, to what extent do American parties fit these concepts; and, how well do these different models serve democratic interests? analysis encompasses a broad range of individuals, including party theorists from Michels to Downs, practitioners such as Martin Van Buren and Woodrow Wilson, and political philosophers from Burke to Lenin. Beginning with Madison's definition, Pomper views parties as varying combinations of passions and interests. He examines, both empirically and normatively, models of party as bureaucratic organisation, governing caucus, cause advocate, ideological community, social movement, urban machine, rational office-seeking team, and personal faction. In further explorations, he analyses these party models in the light of the historical record and empirical data on American voting behaviour, then compares them to proposals for party reform in the United States. In conclusion, Pomper evaluates the contributions of US political parties to democratic values and presents a suggested program to strengthen the parties as institutions on American democracy. The growth of political parties and the extension of democracy proceed along parallel tracks, Pomper contends. Competitive political parties facilitate, although they do not guarantee, a considerable measure of popular involvement, control, and policy determination. Without them, government is more likely to evidence authoritarianism, violence, and repression.