bigideas

The modern, mass political party apparently had its heyday in the twentieth century but is in decline. The political devisiveness of the past, one group crudely set against another, is on its way out, to be replaced by a more technocratic approach: “What works is what counts.” To what extent is this analysis actually true or even desireable? In fact do we need partisanship for a democracy and a healthy society to function well? Dr Jonathan White, lecturer in European Politics at the LSE with interests in political sociology and applied political theory, joins us for an evening of exploration of democracy, political engagement and the relevance of political parties.