Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-19T02:47:27.109Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The influence of Europarties on Central and Eastern European partner parties: a theoretical and analytical model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 November 2012

Benjamin von dem Berge
Affiliation:
Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES), University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
Thomas Poguntke*
Affiliation:
Düsseldorf Party Research Institute (PRuF), University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
*

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive theoretical model for analysing the influence of European party federations (Europarties) on their Central and Eastern European (CEE) partner parties. It draws on the concepts of Europeanization and party change and is, in principle, applicable to similar processes of party enlargement elsewhere. In the process of their Eastern enlargement, Europarties have searched for suitable CEE partner parties on which they have tried to exert influence. Thus far, little is known about the precise mechanisms involved and the actual impact of these processes. We argue that Europarty influence leads to party change on the side of the CEE partners, which brings about ‘West-Europeanization’. Europarties are expected to apply a double strategy that consists of a process of political exchange based on a largely asymmetric power relationship in favour of Europarties and a socialization strategy in which Europarties try to socialize their partners and convince them of the appropriateness of change. We present the theoretical and analytical tools for the analysis of the arguably largest extension of transnational party organizations, which provides ample testing ground for more general theories on party change. Furthermore, we present preliminary empirical evidence on the two most important cases, namely the European People's Party and the Party of European Socialists, which indicates that Europarties played an important role in the development of CEE parties and party systems in general.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © European Consortium for Political Research 2012 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aguilera De Part, C.R. (2009), Political Parties and European Integration, Brüssel: Peter Lang.Google Scholar
Axt, H.-J., Milososki, A.Schwarz, O. (2007), ‘Europäisierung – ein weites Feld. Literaturbericht und Forschungsfragen’, Politische Vierteljahresschrift 48(1): 136149.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bardi, L. (1994), ‘Transnational party federations, European Parliamentary Party groups and the building of Europarties’, in R.S. Katz and P. Mair (eds), How Parties Organize. Adaption and Change in Party Organizations in Western Democracies, London: Sage, pp. 357372.Google Scholar
Bardi, L. (2004), ‘European Party Federations’ perspectives’, in P. Delwit, E. Külahci and C. Van De Walle (eds), The Europarties. Organisation and Influence, Brüssel: Centre d’étude de la vie politique of the Free University of Brussels (ULB), pp. 309322.Google Scholar
von dem Berge, B. (2013 (forthcoming), ‘Der Einfluss der Europarteien auf mittel- und osteuropäische Partnerparteien. Eine Reise durch die Archive von EVP und SPE’, in T. Poguntke, M. Morlok and H. Merten (eds), Auf dem Wege zu einer europäischen Parteiendemokratie?, Baden-Baden: Nomos.Google Scholar
Börzel, T.A.Risse, T. (2003), ‘Conzeptualizing the domestic impact of Europe’, in K. Featherstone and C.M. Radaelli (eds), The Politics of Europeanization, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 5780.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carothers, T. (2006), Confronting the Weakest Link. Aiding Political Parties in New Democracies, Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.Google Scholar
Carter, E.Poguntke, T. (2010), ‘How European integration changes national parties. Evidence from a 15-country study’, West European Politics 33(2): 297324.Google Scholar
Carter, E., Luther, K.R.Poguntke, T. (2007), ‘European integration and internal party dynamics’, in T. Poguntke, N. Aylott, E. Carter, R. Ladrech and K.R. Luther (eds), The Europeanization of National Political Parties. Power and Organizational Adaptation, London: Routledge, pp. 127.Google Scholar
Checkel, J.T. (2005), ‘International institutions and socialization in Europe: introduction and framework’, International Organization 59(4): 801826.Google Scholar
Dakowska, D. (2002), ‘Beyond conditionality. EU enlargement, European Party Federations and the transnational activity of German political foundations’, Perspectives on European Politics and Society 3(2): 271296.Google Scholar
Day, S. (2004), ‘Die Osterweiterung der Europarteien. Ambivalenzen eines Familienzuwachses’, Osteuropa 54(5/6): 223235.Google Scholar
Delsoldato, G. (2002), ‘Eastward enlargement by the European Union and transnational parties’, International Political Science Review 23(3): 269289.Google Scholar
EFDS (European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity) (2009), Annual Report 2008. European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity, Amsterdam, European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity (EFDS).Google Scholar
Eising, R. (2003), ‘Europäisierung und Integration. Konzepte in der EU-Forschung’, in M. Jachtenfuchs and B. Kohler-Koch (eds), Europäische Integration, Opladen: Leske + Budrich, pp. 387416.Google Scholar
Elster, J. (1990), ‘The necessity and impossibility of simultaneous economic and political reform’, in P. Ploszajski (ed.), Philosophy of Social Choice, Warschau: IfiS Publishers, pp. 309316.Google Scholar
Enyedi, Z. (2007), ‘The ‘Europeanisation’ of Eastern Central European Party systems’, Epsnet Kiosk Plus: The Net Journal of Political Science 5(1): 6574.Google Scholar
Enyedi, Z.Lewis, P.G. (2006), ‘The Impact of the European Union on party politics in Central and Eastern Europe’, in P.G. Lewis and Z. Mansfeldova (eds), The European Union and Party Politics in Central and Eastern Europe, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 231249.Google Scholar
EPP (European People's Party) (1990a), ‘Arbeitsplan der EVP/EUCD für 1990’. Vorschlag des Generalsekretärs, Brussels, Deposit EPP-archives: 3.1.1, Author: Thomas Jansen.Google Scholar
EPP (1990b), ‘Christlich-demokratische Parteien und Gruppen in Mittel- und Osteuropa’. Eine Übersicht. Nr. 2, January 1990, Brussels, Deposit EPP-archives: 3.1.1, Author: European People's Party (EPP).Google Scholar
EPP (1992), ‘Memorandum. Die Entwicklung der Parteienlandschaft in Europa: Konsequenzen und Strategien für EVP und EUCD’. EPP Summit, 14 February 1992, Brussels, Deposit EPP-archives: 4.3.1, Author: Thomas Jansen.Google Scholar
EPP (1994), ‘Vermerk für Wilfried Martens und Wim van Welzen’. 28 September 1994, Brussels, Deposit EPP-archives: 3.3.1, Author: Thomas Jansen.Google Scholar
EPP (1995a), ‘A new plan of activities for Central and Eastern Europe for 1996. What it depends on and what it should comprise’. First version, June 1995, Brussels, Deposit EPP-archives: 3.4.1, Author: Wim van Velzen.Google Scholar
EPP (1995b), ‘Report of the Secretary General. Building a strong EPP on Solid Foundations’. XI. EPP-Congress, 5–7 November 1995, Madrid, Deposit EPP-archives: 1.4.3, Author: Klaus Welle.Google Scholar
EPP (1996), ‘EPP – Observer status EUCD sister parties’. 28 November 1996, Brussels, Deposit EPP-archives: 3.5.1, Author: Wim van Velzen.Google Scholar
EPP (1997), EVP/EUCD Jahrbuch ‘96, Brüssel: Fraktion der Europäischen Volkspartei (EVP) im Europäischen Parlament.Google Scholar
EPP (2009), ‘Satzung der Europäischen Volkspartei, Verabschiedet vom EVP-Kongress am 10’. Dezember 2009 in Bonn: Europäische Volkspartei (EVP).Google Scholar
Freise, M. (2004), Externe Demokratieförderung in Postsozialistischen Transformationsstaaten, Münster: LIT.Google Scholar
Gagatek, W. (2008), Political parties at the European level: their organization and activities: the case of the European People's Party and the Party of European Socialists, Florenz: EUI.Google Scholar
von Gehlen, A. (2005), Europäische Parteiendemokratie? Institutionelle Voraussetzungen und Funktionsbedingungen der europäischen Parteien zur Minderung des Legitimationsdefizits der EU, PhD thesis. Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin.Google Scholar
Grabbe, H. (2006), The EU's Transformative Power. Europeanization through Conditionality in Central and Eastern Europe, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.Google Scholar
Hall, P.A.Taylor, R.C.R. (1996), ‘Political science and the three new institutionalisms’, Political Studies 44(4): 936957.Google Scholar
Harmel, R. (2002), ‘Party organizational change. competing explanations?’, in K.R. Luther and F. Müller-Rommel (eds), Political Parties in the New Europe. Political and Analytical Challenges, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 119142.Google Scholar
Harmel, R.Janda, K. (1994), ‘An integrated theory of party goals and party change’, Journal of Theoretical Politics 6(3): 259287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haughton, T. (2007), ‘When does the EU make a difference? Conditionality and the accession process in Central and Eastern Europe’, Political Studies Review 5(2): 233246.Google Scholar
Hix, S.Goetz, K.H. (2000), ‘Introduction: European integration and national political systems’, West European Politics 23(4): 126.Google Scholar
Hix, S.Lord, C. (1997), Political Parties in the European Union, Basingstoke: Macmillan Press.Google Scholar
Holmes, M.Lightfoot, S. (2011), ‘Limited influence? The role of the Party of European Socialists in shaping social democracy in Central and Eastern Europe’, Government and Opposition 46(1): 3255.Google Scholar
Hoy, M.B. (2008), ‘Socialization’, in W.A. Darity (ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 2nd Edn., Farmington Hills: Macmillan Reference, pp. 646649.Google Scholar
Jansen, T. (1998a), The European People's Party: Origins and Development, Houndmills: Macmillan Press.Google Scholar
Jansen, T. (1998b), ‘The Integration of the conservatives into the European People's Party’, in D.S. Bell and C. Lord (eds), Transnational Parties in the European Union, Aldershot: Ashgate, pp. 102116.Google Scholar
Jansen, T. (2006), Die Europäische Volkspartei. Entstehung und Entwicklung, Brüssel: Generalsekretariat der EVP.Google Scholar
Johansson, K.M. (2008), ‘External legitimization and standardization of national political parties: the case of Estonian social democracy’, Journal of Baltic Studies 39(2): 157183.Google Scholar
Johansson, K.M. (2009), ‘The emergence of political parties at European level: integration unaccomplished’, in S. Gustavsson, L. Oxelheim and L. Pehrson (eds), How Unified is the European Union? European Integration Between Visions and Popular Legitimacy, Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 157178.Google Scholar
Ladrech, R. (1994), ‘Europeanization of domestic politics and institutions: the case of France’, Journal of Common Market Studies 32(1): 6988.Google Scholar
Ladrech, R. (2008), ‘Europeanization and the variable influence of the EU: national parties and party systems in Western and Eastern Europe’, Journal of Southern Europe and the Balkans 10(2): 139150.Google Scholar
Ladrech, R. (2009), ‘Europeanization and political parties’, Living Reviews in European Governance 4(1): 121.Google Scholar
Lefkofridi, Z. (2008), An Integrated model of National Party Response to European integration, Wien: Institut für Höhere Studien (IHS).Google Scholar
Lewis, P.G. (1996), ‘Introduction and theoretical overview’, in P.G. Lewis (ed.), Party Structure and Organization in East-Central Europe, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 119.Google Scholar
Lewis, P.G. (2005), ‘EU enlargement and party systems in central Europe’, Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics 21(2): 171199.Google Scholar
Lewis, P.G. (2006), ‘The EU and party politics in Central and Eastern Europe: questions and issues’, in P.G. Lewis and Z. Mansfeldová (eds), The European Union and Party Politics in Central and Eastern Europe, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 119.Google Scholar
Lightfoot, S. (2006), ‘The consolidation of Europarties? The ‘Party Regulation’ and the development of political parties in the European Union’, Representation 42(4): 303314.Google Scholar
Mair, P. (2000), ‘The limited impact of Europe on national party systems’, West European Politics 23(4): 2751.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
March, J.G.Olsen, J.P. (1989), Rediscovering Institutions. The Organizational Basis of Politics, New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
March, J.G.Olsen, J.P. (1996), ‘Institutional perspectives on political institutions’, Governance 9(3): 247264.Google Scholar
March, J.G.Olsen, J.P. (1998), ‘The Institutional dynamics of international political orders’, International Organization 52(4): 943969.Google Scholar
Mittag, J.Steuwer, J. (2010), Politische Parteien in der EU, Wien: UTB.Google Scholar
Moe, T.M. (1990), ‘Political institutions: the neglected side of the story’, Journal of Law, Economics, & Organization 6 (Special Issue: Papers from the Organization of Political Institutions Conference, April 1990): 213–253.Google Scholar
Offe, C. (1994), Der Tunnel am Ende des Lichts. Erkundungen der Politischen Transformation im Neuen Osten, Frankfurt/Main: Campus Verlag.Google Scholar
Öhlén, M. (2008), ‘Europeanization through Trans-National Party co-operation. The European People's Party and its (potential) sister parties in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic’. Paper prepared for the Annual Doctoral Conference, 31 March–3 April, Department of Political Science, Central European University, Budapest.Google Scholar
Õispuu, J. (2006), ‘Die Europäischen parteien. Zwischen Erweiterung und Selbstbehauptung’, Integration 29(1): 6975.Google Scholar
Õispuu, J. (2011), Die Sozialisation der Osteuropäischen Abgeordneten in das Europäische Parlament. Eine Analyse am Beispiel der EVP-ED Fraktion, Baden-Baden: Nomos.Google Scholar
Panebianco, A. (1988), Political Parties: Organization and Power, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
PES (Party of European Socialists) (1990a), Document without title. 27 February 1990, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Julian Priestley.Google Scholar
PES (1990b), ‘Proposed remit for confederation working group on the future of the European Community and Europe in the light of developments in Central and Eastern Europe’. Paper prepared for discussion at Working Group meeting on 11 May 1990, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Party of European Socialists (PES).Google Scholar
PES (1990c), ‘Recommendations. Priorities for the Group on Central and Eastern Europe’. 31 July 1990, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Eisso Woltjer and David Blackmann.Google Scholar
PES (1991), ‘Brief von Petar Dertliev an Axel Hanisch’. 08 July 1991, Sofia, SPE-Archiv, Author: Petar Dertliev.Google Scholar
PES (2002), ‘PES Policy Reports 2002–2004’. Brüssel, SPE-Archiv, Author: Henri Nallet, Willi Görlach, Frans Timmermans.Google Scholar
PES (2003a), ‘Assessment Visit to Slovakia’, 7–8 February 2003. Report on Fact Finding Mission in Slovakia, 10 February 2003, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Jan Marinus Wiersma and Nick Crook.Google Scholar
PES (2003b), ‘Note for the Members of the Bureau of the PES Parliamentary Group’. 26 March 2003, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Nick Crook.Google Scholar
PES (2003c), ‘Personal Report. Personal Report by Nick Crook about his visit of the 9th SDL Congress in Lucenec/Slovakia’, 26–27 April 2003, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Nick Crook.Google Scholar
PES (2006), ‘PES Declaration. SMER Suspended from PES Political Family’. 12 October 2006, Brussels, PES-archives, Author: Party of European Socialists (PES).Google Scholar
PES (2009), ‘Satzung der Sozialdemokratischen Partei Europas, Verabschiedet vom SPE-Parteitag vom 07–08’. Dezember 2009 in Prag: Sozialdemokratische Partie Europas (SPE).Google Scholar
Poguntke, T. (2000), Parteiorganisation im Wandel. Gesellschaftliche Verankerung und organisatorische Anpassung im Europäischen Vergleich, Wiesbaden: Westdeutscher Verlag.Google Scholar
Poguntke, T.Pütz, C. (2006), ‘Parteien in der Europäischen Union. Zu den Entwicklungschancen der Europarteien’, Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen 37(2): 334353.Google Scholar
Poguntke, T., Aylott, N., Carter, E., Ladrech, R.Luther, K.R. (eds) (2007a), The Europeanization of National Political Parties: Power and Organizational Adaptation, London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Poguntke, T., Aylott, N., Ladrech, R.Luther, K.R. (2007b), ‘The Europeanization of national party organizations: a conceptual analysis’, European Journal of Political Research 46(6): 747771.Google Scholar
Pridham, G. (1996), ‘Transnational party links and transition to democracy: Eastern Europe in comparative perspective’, in P.G. Lewis (ed.), Party Structure and Organization in East-Central Europe, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 187219.Google Scholar
Pridham, G. (2005), Designing Democracy: EU Enlargement and Regime Change in Post-Communist Europe, Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.Google Scholar
Pridham, G. (2006a), ‘Assessing democratic consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe: the European dimension’, Acta Politica 41(4): 342369.Google Scholar
Pridham, G. (2006b), ‘Fico's break with the European Socialists: how SMER'S suspension came to pass, and what the future holds’. The Slovak Spectator, 18 October 2010, p. 41. Retrieved 3 September 2012 from http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/24926.Google Scholar
Pridham, G. (2008), ‘Faktoren “externer Demokratisierung”. Der EU-Beitrittsprozess und die Parteienentwicklung in Ostmitteleuropa’, in H.-J. Veen, U. Mählert and F.-J. Schlichting (eds), Parteien in jungen Demokratien. Zwischen Fragilität und Stabilisierung in Ostmitteleuropa, Köln: Böhlau, pp. 175202.Google Scholar
Schimmelfennig, F.Sedelmeier, U. (eds) (2005a), The Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe, Ithaca: Cornell University Press.Google Scholar
Schimmelfennig, F.Sedelmeier, U. (2005b), ‘Introduction: conceptualizing the Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe’, in F. Schimmelfennig and U. Sedelmeier (eds), The Europeanization of Central and Eastern Europe, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 128.Google Scholar
Sened, I. (1991), ‘Contemporary theory of institutions in perspective’, Journal of Theoretical Politics 3(4): 379402.Google Scholar
Spiegel (2012), Dröhnendes Schweigen: Der Spiegel, Ausgabe 04/2012, Seite 24, Autoren: Müller, Peter; Neukirch, Ralf; Schröder, Catalina; Schult, Christoph.Google Scholar
Spirova, M. (2008), ‘Europarties and party development in EU candidate states: the case of Bulgaria’, Europe–Asia Studies 60(5): 791808.Google Scholar
Steuwer, J. (2006), ‘Dokumentation. Entwicklung der Europäischen Parteiorganisationen nach 1945’, in J. Mittag (ed.), Politische Parteien und Europäische Integration. Entwicklung und Perspektiven transnationaler Parteienkooperation in Europa, Essen: Klartext Verlag, pp. 723767.Google Scholar
Stoychev, S.P. (2008), ‘Europeanization of the Bulgarian party system: dynamics and effects’, CEU Political Science Journal 3(1): 224.Google Scholar
Strøm, K. (1990), ‘A behavioral theory of competitive political parties’, American Journal of Political Science 34(2): 565598.Google Scholar
Tavits, M. (2008), ‘Policy positions, issue importance, and party competition in new democracies’, Comparative Political Studies 41(1): 4872.Google Scholar
Timus, N. (2009), The Influence of European Integration on Party and Party System Development in East European Neighborhood, Budapest: CEU, Budapest College.Google Scholar
Timus, N. (2011), ‘Europeanization through Transnational Party Cooperation. The case of EPP and Ukrainian Parties’. Paper prepared for the EUSA 12th Biennial International Conference, March 3–5 2011, Boston, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Vachudova, M.A. (2008), ‘Tempered by the EU? Political parties and party systems before and after accession’, Journal of European Public Policy 15(6): 861879.Google Scholar
Vachudova, M.A.Hooghe, L. (2009), ‘Postcommunist politics in a magnetic field: how transition and EU accession structure party competition on European integration’, Comparative European Politics 7(2): 179212.Google Scholar
Wagner, P.M. (1998), ‘Die europäischen parteien’, in W. Weidenfeld and W. Wessels (eds), Jahrbuch der europäischen Integration 1997/1998, Bonn: Europäische Union Verlag, pp. 281286.Google Scholar
Zaborowski, M. (2005), ‘Westernizing the East: external influences in the post-communist transformation of Eastern and Central Europe’, Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics 21(1): 1632.Google Scholar
zur Hausen, C. (2008), Der Beitrag der “Europarteien” zur Demokratisierung der Europäischen Union, Marburg: Tectum.Google Scholar