Tag: engagement
-
Short explainer – Virtual members? How political party membership is changing.
Virtual membership of political parties has become an increasingly important aspect of party organization and campaign strategy in recent years. Virtual members are individuals who affiliate themselves with a particular party but do not have a formal membership status. While virtual membership can be a valuable resource for parties, allowing them to reach a wider audience and mobilize supporters without requiring a formal commitment, it can also pose challenges. Virtual members may be less committed or involved than traditional members, and it can be difficult for parties to effectively mobilize and engage them. Additionally, virtual membership can create confusion about the level of support for a party, as it is not always clear how many of a party’s virtual members would actually vote for them in an election. Parties should be mindful of these potential implications as they seek to engage and mobilize supporters through virtual membership.
-
Short explainer – What is the personalization of politics? What are the negatives and positives?
The personalization of politics refers to the focus on the personality and characteristics of political candidates, rather than on their policies and positions on issues. While personalization can have some positive effects, such as helping voters to relate to candidates and making politics more engaging for the general public, it can also have negative consequences, such as distracting from important policy discussions and creating a cult of personality around certain candidates. It is important for voters to consider both the personal and policy-related aspects of candidates when making their decisions at the ballot box.
Tristan Hotham 