Bringing Society Back in

Abstract

The evolution of parties portrays a shift from civil society to the state, the culmination of which is the cartel party. Previous research has noted the vulnerabilities of the cartel model, emanating from processes originating in civil society. This study, based on the Israeli case, relates the weakness of the cartel not to challenges from without, but to its own vulnerabilities. The shortage of resources, the fragmentation of the party system and the decline of established parties are inherent to the cartel. Solutions to these maladies are sought in civil society in the framework of the post-cartel party. Taking advantage of developments occurring in the post-individualistic society, parties penetrate civil society by allying with voluntary associations and by stimulating politics of identity. The new, post-cartel, type of party combines the organizational benefits of the cartel while at the same time returning to grassroots social forces.