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Party of power

The term "party of power" refers to a political party that has a close relationship with the executive branch of government such that the party appears to function as an extension of the executive rather than as an autonomous political organization.[1][2] The concept resembles that of a cartel party.[2] In a presidential republic, the party of power typically forms a legislative block that backs the executive. The concept has been commonly applied to post-Soviet political parties. Claims have been made that United Russia, the New Azerbaijan Party, Kazakhstan's Amanat,[2] the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan, the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan[3] and Georgian Dream (from 2013) are parties of power. Parties that have been considered as parties of power in the past include the Union of Citizens of Georgia (until 2003), the Georgia's United National Movement (until 2013)[4] and the Republican Party of Armenia (until 2018).

See also: Dominant-party system

Parties of power are typically described as having a hierarchical top-down structure, being centralised, organised in clientelistic networks, lacking a defined or coherent ideology and playing a subordinate role towards the bureaucracy.[5] They have been created by the state as a method to assist in the political interests of the executive branch but while also being reliant on the state to manipulate election outcomes.[6]


The use of the concept and of the term "party of power" has been criticized, including by those who claim that, strictly speaking, United Russia and Amanat do not possess or exercise power themselves. It is not the parties that make decisions and policies in the last resort. The term "parties of power" may therefore be regarded as misleading.[2]

(1993–1994)

Democratic Choice of Russia

(1995–1999, so called "centre-right party of power")

Our Home – Russia

(1999–2001/2003)

Unity

(the second "party of power", supporting Vladimir Putin and opposing United Russia)

A Just Russia

(2001–present)

United Russia

Establishment

Ruling party

Dominant-party system

Multi-party system

Non-partisan democracy

Del Sordi, Adele (2011), Parties of power as authoritarian institutions: The cases of Russia and Kazakhstan, Spanish Political Science Association (AECPA)

Gel′man, Vladimir (2013). Party Politics in Russia: From Competition to Hierarchy. Routledge. pp. 35–52. {{}}: |work= ignored (help)

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Herron, Erik S. (2009). Elections and Democracy After Communism?. Palgrave Macmillan.

Oversloot, Hans; Verheul, Ruben (2013), "Managing Democracy: Political Parties and the State in Russia", Political Parties and the State in Post-Communist Europe, Routledge

Remington, Thomas (2013). Patronage and the Party of Power: President-Parliament Relations under Vladimir Putin. Routledge. pp. 81–110. {{}}: |work= ignored (help)

cite book