In my last post I explained the difference between parties of legislative origin and parties of outside origin. Tonight, in the second of three lessons, I will discuss cadre parties and mass parties. (And yes, it will be on the test.)
Cadre parties, which sound like something vaguely Communist, actually define the Democratic and Republican parties. Members affiliate by simply signing a form. Party business is usually conducted by a few people in a room. While cadre parties may involve registrants voting in a closed primary, most of the party business is conducted by a relatively small number of people; for example, a state committee or a county executive board.
Mass parties, on the other hand, try to involve individual voters. They may issue membership cards, require dues, hold large meetings. Early European socialist parties did this. Mass parties frequently have problems involving their members, not because they are undemocratic, but because the members have better things to do.
Cadre parties sometimes make an effort to be mass parties by holding rallies or authorizing clubs. After Obama was elected, an attempt was made to involve campaign volunteers with “Organizing for America,” but it never really had much clout. In Carbon County the 9/12 group has tried to become a mass organization, but probably fewer than 200 members are involved on a day-to day-basis.
While most modern democratic parties are cadre parties, they do differ in how open they are to new activists. A party that tends to go with the old guard and resist inroads by newcomers probably will wither away.
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