Main Attributes of Party Systems

• Internal discipline and coherence: function of loyalty of the party rank-and-file to the party label.



• Party identification by the electorate: tendency of voters to identify with a party label.



• Party alliances in the legislature ("parliamentary fragmentation"): function of incumbent's incentives and effective number of parties.



• Party - movement ties: "grassroots" linkages.



• Effects of presidentialism/parliamentarism: party loyalty more important in parliamentary and premier-presidential systems.



• Type of parties (1): elite/cadre, mass, catch-all, electoral-professional, cartel.



• Type of parties (2): policy-seeking, vote-seeking, office-seeking.



• Federalism: might divide loyalties between national and subnational party organizations; depends on nomination procedures, etc.