ABSTRACT
The governing role of political parties presents them with numerous challenges. This chapter explores theories of the sources of party influence in coalition government and critically evaluates key assumptions about the roles that parties play. It begins by examining theories of party government with a focus on explaining how parties have been seen to promote their policy goals within governing coalitions. It then analyses the factors that shape how parties make and break coalitions. A final section analyses research on the relationship between parties’ complex organisations and policy-making. The chapter ends by outlining unresolved questions relating to intra-party politics and parties’ behaviour in coalition government with a specific focus on their internal divisions and decision-making processes.
