Political Theory and Parties: Towards a Conceptual and Normative Appraisal of Political Parties

‘Political Theory and Parties: Towards a Conceptual and Normative Appraisal
of Political Parties’

Workshop for the next ECPR joint sessions (University of Warsaw, 29 March -
2 April 2015); organized by Ben Crum (Amsterdam) and Ronald Tinnevelt
(Nijmegen).

Abstract:
In remarkable contrast to empirical political science, political parties
have found little favor in political thought. Despite the long tradition of
theorizing about the relationship between citizen and state in general and
about political representation in particular, political theorists seem to
consider parties as a means without much, if any, intrinsic value. Yet, in
recent years, a number of political theorists from different strands of
thought have turned to them and argued for a reappraisal of the role and
value of parties for meaningful collective self-rule and the democratic
ethos of citizens. Against this background, this workshop aims to bring
together experts from the field of political theory, philosophy and
political science to explore the justification, status and responsibilities
of political parties within democratic societies and the functions of the
system of party competition and conflict.

More information about the workshop can be found here: