J 2021

Leading the Way, but Also Following the Trend : The Slovak National Party

HAUGHTON, Tim; Marek RYBÁŘ and Kevin DEEGAN-KRAUSE

Basic information

Original name

Leading the Way, but Also Following the Trend : The Slovak National Party

Authors

HAUGHTON, Tim; Marek RYBÁŘ and Kevin DEEGAN-KRAUSE

Edition

Politics and Governance, Lisbon, Cogitatio Press, 2021, 2183-2463

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Country of publisher

Portugal

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

URL

Organization

Fakulta sociálních studií – Repository – Repository

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.17645/pag.v9i4.4570

UT WoS

000722180900011

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-85119662847

Keywords in English

party leadership; party membership; party organization; Slovakia

Links

MUNI/A/1324/2020, interní kód Repo.
Changed: 15/12/2021 02:18, RNDr. Daniel Jakubík

Abstract

V originále

Despite spells outside parliament, with its blend of nationalist and populist appeals the Slovak National Party (SNS) has been a prominent fixture on Slovakia’s political scene for three decades. Unlike some of the newer parties in Slovakia and across the region, partly as a product of the point of its (re-)creation, SNS has a comparable organizational density to most established parties in the country and has invested in party branches and recruiting members. Although ordinary members exercised some power and influence during the fissiparous era of the early 2000s, SNS has been notable for the role played by its leader in decision-making and steering the party. Each leader placed their stamp on the projection, pitch and functioning of the party, both as a decision-making organization and an electoral vehicle. Ordinary members have been largely—but not exclusively—relegated to the role of cheerleaders and campaigners for the party’s tribunes; a situation which has not changed significantly in the era of social media. The pre-eminent position of the leader and the limited options for “voice” has led unsuccessful contenders for top posts and their supporters to opt instead for “exit.” Despite having some of the traits of the mass party and having engaged in some of the activities common for mass parties, especially in the earlier years of its existence, in more recent times in particular, SNS falls short of the mass party model both in aspiration and reality.
Displayed: 5/7/2025 21:09