Boss and Faction

Abstract

Local parties tend to break into factions com peting with each other in much the same way as political parties. The political charge "bossism" tends to have little effect in a stable political economy, such as Albany, despite its appropri ateness. In politically unstable, economically depressed Sche nectady, the charge "bossism" is used indiscriminately with some apparent effect. Political patronage, once the basic political cement, is still a focal point of political activity but is giving way to other bases of organization, such as faction. However, the growing division between the secure and politi cally unconcerned top as against the insecure and politically active bottom in the local economy is separating the traditional source of political leadership from the masses. In such a con text, it is easier for an insurgent to build a personal political movement than it is to transform an existing factional split into a successful reform movement. Furthermore, the business community tends to adjust to an incumbent organization and in time to defend it regardless of party label and countless allegations of wrongdoing. Finally, general public unconcern approaches a condition of militant apathy against which no amount of campaigning has any effect. "The leader" becomes more meaningful than the issue.