Now a new set of public opinion surveys enables us to examine directly
and in greater depth how contemporary publics view political parties. We
begin with data from the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES,
module I).2 Table 1 presents opinions on two essential ingredients of the
current debate about party images: first, are parties necessary to democracy,
and second, do parties care what people think.3 These two questions reflect
the paradox of current opinions. When asked if parties are necessary, about
three-quarters of the public in these 13 democracies respond affirmatively.
This supports Schattschneider’s (1942) view that democracy without parties
seems unthinkable to most citizens (also Schmitt 1983).