On cartel parties

I have taken to deleting my Latin postscript on most posts since I currently work for a Labor left Senator.  But I've left it on because of the topic of the day - which in the SMH editorial is that Labor must reform or die.

The problem is that every criticism of Labor in that editorial - narrow base, preselecting professional politicians, factions and fractions - apply equally to the other large political grouping.

This is a systemic condition, not one that applies to just Labor.  Katz describes the emergence of the cartel party.  I have elsewhere described this evolution as a consequence of the speed of communication.  The cartel party has now come to its logical conclusion - parties that as organisations are built only on power and influence, and as political entities merely reflect "the mob."

The "solution" is not some reactionary return to mass movement parties, that won't happen.

But the health of democratic states is for the political process to deliver the next form of organisation ....

Novae Meridianae Demetae Dexter delenda est