In his work on ‘post-democracy,’ political sociologist Colin Crouch provides a heuristic image
with which to understand an ideal democratic party. At the centre of this image is the party’s
leadership and its closest advisers, around which in concentric circles follow ‘parliamentary
representatives; then active members [including local government and paid staff]; next,
ordinary members [. . .], then supporters, or loyal voters [. . .]; finally, the largest circle of all,
the wider target audience, which the party seeks to persuade to vote for it.’

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