Movement Parties Against Austerity

The ascendance of austerity policies and the protests they have generated have had a deep impact on the shape of contemporary politics. The stunning electoral successes of SYRIZA in Greece, Podemos in Spain and the Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) in Italy, alongside the quest for a more radical left in countries such as the UK and the US, bear witness to a new wave of parties that draws inspiration and strength from social movements.

The rise of movement parties challenges simplistic expectations of a growing separation between institutional and contentious politics and the decline of the left. Their return demands attention as a way of understanding both contemporary socio-political dynamics and the fundamentals of political parties and representation.

Bridging social movement and party politics studies, within a broad concern with democratic theories, this volume presents new empirical evidence and conceptual insight into these topical socio-political phenomena, within a cross-national comparative perspective.

Ascensiunea politicilor de austeritate si protestele pe care le-au generat au avut un impact profund asupra formei politicii contemporane. Succesele electorale uimitoare ale SYRIZA in Grecia, Podemos in Spania si Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) din Italia, alaturi de cautarea unei stangi mai radicale in tari precum Marea Britanie si SUA, sunt martorii unui nou val de partide care inspira si forta din miscarile sociale.