In person icon The Digital Transformation of South European Political Parties and Its Impact on Internal Organization

Abstract

Political parties worldwide are undergoing a profound transformation driven by the increasing integration of digital technologies into their organizational structures, strategies, and day-to-day operations. This digital shift is particularly relevant in the context of Southern Europe, where political parties are navigating significant challenges such as political fragmentation, voter disillusionment, and the demand for greater transparency and responsiveness. This panel includes research contributions that explore how digital tools and platforms are reshaping political parties’ internal dynamics, organizational structures, and their role in democratic representation. Digital technologies have fundamentally altered the way political parties communicate with their members, interact with the electorate, and structure internal decision-making processes. In Southern Europe, where traditional political parties have faced challenges related to public trust and political participation and where fully-fledged digital parties witnessed their first electoral breakthrough, the digital transformation provides both an opportunity and a challenge for political actors to reimagine their organizational structures, leadership styles, and communication practices. This panel includes and invites submissions that examine a range of themes related to the digital transformation of political parties, focusing specifically on the following areas: ● The Impact of Digital Technologies on Party Leadership and Decision-Making Processes: How have digital tools affected the way leadership is structured within political parties in Southern Europe? What new mechanisms for decision-making, vertical and horizontal coordination, and accountability have emerged as a result of digital innovation? ● Digital Tools for Member Engagement, Communication, and Mobilization: What role do digital tools play in increasing member participation, communication, and mobilization within political parties? How have these tools been used to bridge gaps between party leadership and grassroots activists? What impact has this had on the internal organization and cohesion of parties? ● The Influence of Social Media on Internal Party Dynamics and Communication Strategies: How has the rise of social media influenced internal party dynamics? Has it fostered more transparent, participatory, and responsive forms of communication, or has it led to fragmentation and internal conflicts? ● Organizational Restructuring in Response to Digital Tools: What organizational changes have Southern European political parties undergone in response to the adoption of digital technologies? How are parties rethinking their structures to integrate digital strategies effectively? ● The Role of Digital Platforms in Democratizing or Centralizing Party Control: Do digital platforms enhance internal democracy within parties, or do they concentrate power in the hands of a few? How do digital tools affect the relationship between centralized party leadership and grassroots members? ● The Impact of Digital Tools on the Quality of Democratic Representation: Beyond internal organizational changes, how has the digital transformation of political parties affected the quality of democratic representation in Southern Europe? Have digital tools led to greater responsiveness to citizens' needs and demands, or have they exacerbated issues of political polarization, misinformation, and elite control? How do digital strategies shape the relationship between political parties and their voters, and do they contribute to enhancing or diminishing the quality of democratic engagement? We also welcome contributions that focus on case studies, comparative analyses, theoretical frameworks, or empirical research. The goal of this panel is to gain a deeper understanding of how the digital transformation is affecting the structure, functioning, and democratic role of political parties in Southern European democracies. We aim to explore the implications of these changes for the future of party politics, citizen participation, and democratic governance in the region. By shedding light on the intersection between digital innovation and political organization, this collection will contribute to ongoing discussions on the future of democratic representation in the digital age.

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