Rootedness, Activism, and Centralization: The Case of the Swiss People’s Party

Adrian Favero

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Abstract

The Swiss People’s Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei [SVP]) has increased its territorial extensiveness and organisational intensiveness in recent years, and has professionalised its strategies of communication. This article analyses the dynamics characterising the SVP’s organisation. It shows that with its locally rooted presence and its effort to generate ideological coherence, the party has embraced the “mass party” organisational model. It additionally assesses the extent to which the SVP’s centralised power at the federal level is conducive to the party’s further electoral success. Having considered both the party at national level and three of its most important cantonal branches, the article argues that the organisational dominance of the SVP’s central leadership was beneficial for the party’s electoral strength but will lead to tensions with cantonal and local branches, which are largely in charge, to build and maintain an active base.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)252-262
JournalPolitics and Governance
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Nov 2021

Keywords

  • activism
  • centralization
  • mass parties
  • Swiss People’s Party

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