From Divergence to Convergence

Degrees of Formality in the Connections Between Two Flemish Progressive Political Parties and Organised Civil Society

Abstract

How do political parties and civil society organisations (CSOs) navigate their relationships in the context of the profound change affecting party systems and civil society in recent decades? To answer this question, I develop a typology of party-CSO connections and undertake a comparative case study of the connections between two progressive parties and a cross-section of CSOs in the region of Flanders. I find that these connections have converged on a very similar pattern and explain this convergence in terms of the politicisation of public policymaking in Flanders and the pragmatic approach of mainstream civil society to representing the claims of their constituencies. My study suggests that to fully understand the patterns of connection between political parties and organised civil society, researchers need to consider the influence of policymaking institutions and the strategies of both parties and civic groups in pursuing their goals within those institutions.