Intra-party Functioning and Decision-making

Abstract

This panel looks at key intra-party decisions (leadership and candidate selection processes) and the role of key party bodies such as party congresses in a novel manner. The main focus is the decision-making rationale of parties in the recruitment process of their political personnel: the choice of selection criteria and the adoption of business-like practices, or the valuation on specific traits or career patterns. The panel also looks at long-term changes in intra-party procedures and at the main triggers of change, as well as the consequences of these changes on the parties’ electoral and governmental performances.