Alternative Parties, Alternative Representation?

Political parties in established democracies undergo fundamental changes. This phenomenon is closely related not only to the shrinking partisanship and decline of the mass political parties but also to loosening of traditional ties. In western democracies the Rokkanian alignments reflected firm anchor of parties and political representation within societies’ social structure. The de-alignment and potential re-alignment or a failure to re-establish such ties creates favorable conditions for voters’ noncommittal ad hoc choices. As a result, the voters become more volatile. Hand in hand with the de-alignment process and the loss of loyal electorates, political parties have been faced with problems of voters´ disenchantment. In newer democracies the alignments between political parties and their electorates do not share historically-grown root as they do in more mature democracies. These ties have been built for only about two decades; it is rather difficult to even speak of de-alignment. Metaphorically speaking, we are witnessing the process of de-alignment without building up the alignments. The fluctuation of party sympathizers is further catalyzed by the unstable political scene where most parties do not have enough time to establish long-term identification ties. New/ alternative/ non-standard parties are emerging (but very often are short-lived), their ‘comparative advantage’ and often their deliberate strategy is jut the novelty: they become the carte blanche in a situation when others have failed and the demand for new parties is strong. This empirical study analyses the rise and performance of new/alternative parties in Slovakia (emerged in and after 2012 general election), the way how they articulate the interests of the voters, appeal and represent them. Responsiveness and accountability of alternative political parties is questioned, what opens new and new cycles for new alternatives. Slovakia is shown as a country case study with many generalizations to other newer democracies in the region and beyond.