Approximately 2.5% of the electorate in the Netherlands is member of a political party. This modestly sized group plays an important role in representative democracies: members are part of the... Show moreApproximately 2.5% of the electorate in the Netherlands is member of a political party. This modestly sized group plays an important role in representative democracies: members are part of the electorate and of their party and function as intermediaries between voters and elected officials. There is, however, debate as to the role of party members. The impression exists that members of the same party are internally divided over important political issues, that it is largely impossible to distinguish between members of different parties substantively, and that members differ in terms of views and backgrounds, and thereby drive a wedge between voters and elected officials. Based on the Leyden Party Member Survey, this study investigates how internally cohesive, externally different and representative in terms of membership Dutch parties are. This study's findings suggest, at least for the Netherlands, that the view that party members are obstacles is factually incorrect. In general, party members are internally quite cohesive and adopt a shared, substantive position that differentiates from the position of members of other parties. Although their demographic profile deviates, members' substantive views are congruent with those of the voters and MPs of their party. Show less
