tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post1237737604848422288..comments2008-10-30T18:17:54.347ZRachael Jolleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04830594240244312855noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-5590387807729541792008-10-30T18:17:54.347Z2008-10-30T18:17:54.347ZHi Robert,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for an excellent contribution. Your argument cuts to the heart of the difference between British and American parties. The former have (at least theoretically) a formalised structure of policy making among the membership, the latter do not. However, I would argue it is a mistake to claim that political activists in the US have no influence over policy. Indeed, I think it is quite possible to claim their electoral focus gives them a greater say - they have a huge carrot and stick to influence their party's leaders, because they find it much easier to oust them. <BR/><BR/>That said, I agree with you that one of the big questions post-election (if he wins...) will be how Obama's organisation will behave. I suspect you may find them taking a much more active role in non-electoral politics, acting as a powerful pressure group, either for or against the president.<BR/><BR/>I have actually fleshed some of these ideas out in a paper on internal party democracy in the US. If you are interested, feel free to contact me (nick.anstead-at-gmail.com) and I will send it on to you.Nick Ansteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11801631376484655944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-74009051125324465972008-10-30T17:48:08.065Z2008-10-30T17:48:08.065ZI phrase this more of a question than a comment: surely the level of grassroots devolution we can see with the Obama campaign is confined more to the business of campaigning than actual control over Democratic policy platforms?<BR/><BR/>There seems to me a danger that once the election is over - and hopefully Obama is in the White House - there will be a serious ebbing of political engagement. When I studied aspects of US politics at BA level (admittedly quite briefly and a while ago) I recalled very weak structures for substantive participation outside of campaign times, particularly for those not wishing to stand for public office. That is relative to CLPs, Conservative Associations over here - despite the downward trend in participation since the 1950s peak.<BR/><BR/>Good news at Martin Bright's New Statesman blog - Labour Party membership has actually had a minor shot in the arm since Conference, with something like 1,000 comrades a month returning<BR/><A HREF="http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2008/10/labour-party-government-brown" REL="nofollow">to the fold...</A>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244882444401753270noreply@blogger.com