Compulsory Party Democracy

Abstract

Political parties in Finland deviate from the Scandinavian standard, as they are highly controlled by laws and decrees. Regulation and control have a negative connotation in Scandinavia because they are seen as associated with state interference, in opposition to the corner-stones of civic liberty. Organization theories support the negative conceptions, as publicly controlled organizations are considered more centralized and less open to membership influence. According to these theories, this tendency is most prominent in large and/or important parties. However, the present study shows that there is a wide variety among parties in their degree of hierarchical and egalitarian rule. Party organization is affected more by age of party and common ideology than by party size and importance. The system promotes a given level of membership influence, as party democracy is compulsory.