The Paradox of Party Difference

Abstract

British parties are not so "principled" nor are American parties so "unprincipled" as many experts and laymen maintain. Graphs are a useful device to demonstrate the simultaneous overlaps and contrasts of British, American, and French parties. A simple comparison of their elected representatives is enough to break down certain illusions; the introduction of curves depicting the position of the parties' militants and rank and file reveals more of the total spectrum and explains other apparent contradictions of fact. Professor Butler is of Nuffield College, Oxford.