ABSTRACT
In The White House Years Henry Kissinger, the Secretary of State under Nixon, describes visiting Rome in order to discuss mutual foreign policy concerns Italian leaders. What really interested Kissinger's hosts was not the peace process in the Middle East or nuclear arms negotiations with the Soviets but domestic politics in Italy. Policy decisions made by international organizations, foreign governments and even such private entities as banks and other business enterprises may have far-reaching domestic party political consequences. Klaus von Beyme identifies three prevailing explanations for the origins of parties. They are, institutional, crises, and modernization. In addition to money or the threat of force, ideas have crossed national borders to play a role in domestic party political life. Another concept that has crossed national borders in recent years to assume a significant role in domestic party politics is that of environmental protection.
