Between horizontality and centralization: Organizational form and practice in the Finns Party

This paper provides the first analysis of the Finns Party’s (PS) formal organization and how it operates in practice. To what extent does the Finns Party’s organization follow the mass party model and how centralized is the party in its internal decision-making? Analysis of party documents and interviews with 24 party elite representatives reveal that the PS has a formally complex organizational structure and internal democracy, but the party is ambivalent in the extent to which party activists’ participation can affect the party’s internal decision-making. The party combines the radically democratic elements of the party congress and party advisory with a gauzy and patchily-supported local and regional level, a weak and incoherently elected party council, and a high-level of centralization of power in the party executive. The party has developed a comprehensive network of semi-autonomous municipal associations, but in many regions the levels of activity and experience characterising local associations and core activists remain low. Despite the party’s attempts to establish a strong presence on the ground, especially via canvassing in public spaces, the overall number of Finns Party members has remained low. Regardless, having a wide and active organization characterised by low entry and participation requirements is key for the party, especially during municipal elections. Even though the PS provides no material benefits and few events to its members, the party’s community of activists is characterised by strong collective identity and a high-level of ideological coherence that, according to party elites, are fuelled mainly by communitarian and purposive incentives.