Mainstream Parties in Crisis: The Antiestablishment Challenge

Issue Date January 2021
Volume 32
Issue 1
Page Numbers 37-51
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Over recent decades, democracies have seen a decline in support for traditional political parties. In parallel, the vote shares of populist and other antiestablishment forces have increased dramatically, especially during the last decade. As maintained elsewhere, the latter development is the consequence of the former, with its negative consequences for the functioning of democracy. This article shows that only the regeneration of traditional parties, and not the banning, marginalization, or accommodation of antiestablishment ones, can tackle the problem at its root.

About the Authors

Fernando Casal Bértoa

Fernando Casal Bértoa is associate professor in comparative politics at the University of Nottingham and codirector of the Research Centre for the Study of Parties and Democracy (REPRESENT).

View all work by Fernando Casal Bértoa

José Rama

José Rama is visiting lecturer in political science at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

View all work by José Rama

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