A comparative analysis of the nature and shape of movements and parties based on protest against the political system

In this project we will try to develop an explanatory model of new parties, their programme and their following, based on a well documented inventory with emphasis on the public displeasure with political functioning since the sixties.Prolongation:This project is an extension with one year of the project 'A comparative analysis of the characteristics and forms of anti-system parties'. We have so far developed a life-cycle model of parties, in which steps in the cycle can be identified by looking at ideologicval, organizational and strategical aspects. This builds on a model suggested by Mogens Pedersen in 1982. This model should enable us to analyze the evolution of parties, but also -and especially- to identify the crucial step between 'protest' and 'policy' party. We need to finalize the empirical testing of the model, by looking at evolutions in Rassemblement Wallon, Volksunie, Agalev and Vlaams Blok.