S/P/75. Does party organisation explain party behaviour?

This essay considers two main aspects. Firstly, it questions whether the various models of party organisation and the behavioural aspects they imply provide a convincing picture of the link between structure and action. By contrasting three of the most firmly established ideas (electoral competition model, institutional model and the sociological model), it examines which elements of party organisation do give reasons for behaviour, whilst evaluating the accuracy and relevance of each study. Throughout the essay other reasons are suggested for changes in party behaviour, and whether actually have relatively greater significance than party organisation.