Policy Content, Party Cartelization and Social Protest: Preliminary Conclusions from the Greek Contentious Cycle (2009-2016)

The question of how labour and social movements interact with cartelized political parties (especially those claiming an ‘ally’ status, such Labour and Left parties) has long been preoccupying research and theoretical debate in the study of Contentious Politics. Yet, to this date, discussion has tended to focus on largely organizational issues (often with an intense tautological ring to them), eschewing the cardinal problem of policy content. This is quite unfortunate. Provided one does not see cartelization as a natural phenomenon, it is imperative to examine the link between the two. Is cartelization linked to specific policy positions and if so how? Are there, perhaps, specific policy contents that favor (and amplify) innate bureaucratization proclivities? Drawing material from the Greek experience of 2009-2016, this paper explores the dynamic relationship between policy content (and, relatedly, party strategy) and organizational cartelization. Ostensibly the by-product of movement anti-austerity mobilization, SYRIZA (a self-proclaimed party of the ‘radical Left’) emerged as a key movement ally and came to power in January 2015 promising an all-out clash with the neoliberal template, only to renege on its electoral pledge. During this time, its policy outlook changed (often dramatically) in tandem with speedy cartelization, causing subsequent movement decline. In the process erstwhile diminished movement opponents reemerged, bringing the situation to a standstill. The paper involves joint charting the rhythm of movement activity, SYRIZA policy stances and internal organizational developments, aspiring to conceptualize movement-auspicious party strategies vs others that turn out to be detrimental.