LISI, Marco. Intra-party democracy, members and middle-level elites: the case of the Portuguese Socialist Party. []. , 214, pp.160-190. ISSN 0003-2573.

This article aims to examine the attitudes of the Portuguese Socialist Party members and delegates towards intra-party democracy. Drawing on two surveys to different types of activist, this study investigates members’ evaluation with regard to several aspects of the internal party functionaning. The results suggest that a subtancial proportion of activists is satisfied with their influence on the party internal life, although party members display a more critical view compared to delegates. As for the explanatory factors, the ideological distance, holding party or public offices, as well as the degree of participation in party activities are the main variables that influence members’ opinion on intra-party democracy.

: intra-party democracy; party activism; party membership; middle-level elites; Portuguese Socialist Party.

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