Dados is one of the most widely-read social sciences journals in Latin America. Created in 1966, it publishes innovative works, originating from academic research, by Brazilian and foreign authors. Edited by IESP-UERJ, it aims to reconcile scientific rigor and academic excellence with an emphasis on public debate based on the analysis of substantive issues of society and politics.
Dados n. 10 Rio de Janeiro 1973
Abstract
This article presents some aspects of the author's master's dissertation, the Social Democratic Party. First, attention is given to the difficulty of working with the subject political parties as an object of study, and to the necessity of clarifying the contribution of these organizations to the political system. Secondly, emphasis is given to the necessity of adopting a case study perspective, since knowledge of the parties' life and internal processes is scarce. The case examined is that of PSD. The characteristics of this organization, the relationship between its "leaders" and "followers", the type of recruitment, the importance of the electoral processes for PSD's survival, all identify the party as very close to the type that Duverger called a "staff party". The PSD suceeded in aggregating three levels of power - the municipal, the state and the national - into a single organization. Each level acted politically within its own scope and enjoyed relative autonomy. Cohesion was warranted by the integrative rôle of the national leadership and by the influence of the president of the party who accepted regional peculiarities. The national leadership's tolerant and flexible behavior was a consequence of the party's characteristics (the existence of three levels of power), and was reinforced in the resolution of internal conflicts, which was obtained through processes of accomodation and compromise rather than by means of the utilization of disciplinary measures. The PSD's characteristics seem to be responsible for the maintainance of its predominant position during the 1945-1964 period.
Notas Sobre o Estudo do Partido Social Democrático
Português do Brasil
Español