ABSTRACT
I focus here on two aspects of party activity so far referred to only in passing: non-party organizations and subcultures – forms of extra-parliamentary politics that have traditionally been major arenas for RLPs (cf. Minkenberg 2003; Mudde 2005). By ‘non-party’ organizations is meant formally independent groups that do not compete for office but which identify with and help mobilize the broader social movement, and over which RLPs attempt to exercise influence. Their de facto independence varies – ranging from affiliates under near-complete party control (e.g. Communist youth leagues) to nominally independent ‘front’ organizations where party hegemony is weaker and more contested (such as peace groups, anti-Nazi groups and trade unions). ‘Subcultures’ are more loosely organized groupings of non-affiliated individuals and movements (a ‘network of networks’ in Minkenberg’s phrase), whose support and activity nevertheless provides significant mobilization potential for radical parties. In practice, these groups often overlap.
