This study examines how party organizational characteristics influence representation in Europe.
## Data & Methods ##
Drawing on a comparative database and data from Comparative Studies of Electoral Systems, it analyzes the relationship between horizontal/vertical integration and congruence across multiple parties.
## Key Findings ##
Complex organizational structures with strong leadership reduce party representation:
* Leadership-dominated parties are less representative
* Complex structures (horizontal/vertical integration) hinder alignment with voter interests
### Why It Matters ###
These findings challenge assumptions that complex party organizations improve representation. They highlight how organizational complexity may actually undermine democratic accountability, particularly in Europe.
| Bringing Party Organization Back In: A Comparative Analysis of Party Representation in Europe was authored by Nathalie Giger. It was published by Cambridge in PSR&M in 2020. |
