Theories of Party System: Contribution of Sartori

Abstract

Part system has emerged as a critical component of political science in general and comparative politics in particular. In fact, beginning of representative democracy led to crystalisation of diverse interests which led to competition for political power which in the long run gave way to political parties. The nature and character of electoral competition leads to some pattern which is being analysed and some universal laws are framed which is referred as theories of party system. Many political scientists in general and Duverger in particular have provided theories of party system. Sartori has tried to give an objective theory of party system. Unlike Duverger Sartori has included ideology as a crirical component of determining the basic ingredients of developing theories of party system. I have tried to analyse the contribution of his theory in comparative politics.