The Great Retreat
How Political Parties Should Behave and Why They Don't
Book •
The book argues that democracies require stronger political parties as intermediaries between citizens and governments.
It explores the development of political parties as democracy expanded across the West in the nineteenth century, focusing on mass parties.
It argues that the professionalization and nationalization of parties have led to a loss of organizational density.
The erosion of political parties has contributed to the recent crisis of democratic capitalism.
The book makes the case that strong intermediaries like mass parties are essential to long-term democratic stability and economic growth.
It explores the development of political parties as democracy expanded across the West in the nineteenth century, focusing on mass parties.
It argues that the professionalization and nationalization of parties have led to a loss of organizational density.
The erosion of political parties has contributed to the recent crisis of democratic capitalism.
The book makes the case that strong intermediaries like mass parties are essential to long-term democratic stability and economic growth.
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Caleb Zakarin
Didi Kuo, "The Great Retreat: How Political Parties Should Behave and Why They Don't" (Oxford UP, 2025)
