Factionalism within parties is a subject that is crucial in understanding how parties operate and how well they carry out the functions they are widely assumed to perform. However, factionalism has been undertheorized. In order to provide some theoretical content to the study of factions within parties, I develop a three-part typology of factionalism based on the degree of persistence of factional coalitions and what underlies them. An examination of presidential nominating contests in the major parties of the United States concludes that the degree of factional persistence is due to exogenous factors, and I infer from it a developmental theory. I conclude by suggesting ways in which the analysis might be extended to other nations.
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