Integrative and divisive roles of political parties: Partisanship, Ideology and democracy in the Netherlands

Political parties are can be seen as agents of both integration and division. Attachment to political parties may function as integrating mechanism by channelling political and ideological radicalism away from system-challenging activities towards the regime support and acceptance of the prevailing political (democratic) order. At the same time, parties might also foster radicalism, or even extremism, and dissatisfaction with democratic performance. This paper examines these possibilities using Dutch Election Studies series. Empirical examination of the relationships between ideological extremism, partisanship, and satisfaction democracy triangle provides mixed support for both interpretations.