Political Parties - Member Dues v. Donations

[r3volution 3.0]

European political parties have always tended to charge membership dues and rely on those to a large extent, in contrast to the donation-centric fundraising model used by American political parties. I don't know what the cause of this difference is, and haven't thought deeply about the pros and cons of each model, but I'm curious as to your thoughts.

Q. Given a political party which you'd want to support, would you prefer to pay regular dues or make sporadic donations?

Assume that membership confers benefits such as: participating in internal politics, attending events, receiving newsletters, etc.

[oyarde]

If I am paying membership I expect perks like chits for draft beers etc

[r3volution 3.0]

If I am paying membership I expect perks like chits for draft beers etc

So, in all seriousness (not sure if you're kidding), you'd find it appealing if your party had 'social clubs' of some kind, ala rotary, elks lodge, etc?

That actually was common at one time with many parties, not sure if it still exists.

[oyarde]

So, in all seriousness (not sure if you're kidding), you'd find it appealing if your party had 'social clubs' of some kind, ala rotary, elks lodge, etc?

That actually was common at one time with many parties, not sure if it still exists.

Yes , if I am paying dues then that is what I would want.

[specsaregood]

European political parties have always tended to charge membership dues and rely on those to a large extent, in contrast to the donation-centric fundraising model used by American political parties. I don't know what the cause of this difference is, and haven't thought deeply about the pros and cons of each model, but I'm curious as to your thoughts.

Q. Given a political party which you'd want to support, would you prefer to pay regular dues or make sporadic donations?

Assume that membership confers benefits such as: participating in internal politics, attending events, receiving newsletters, etc.

How about getting rid of all primaries, switching to caucuses in which only dues paying members can vote?

[r3volution 3.0]

How about getting rid of all primaries, switching to caucuses in which only dues paying members can vote?

Yea, I think that's the major advantage: giving the more knowledgeable and better motivated people exclusive control of the party.

[oyarde]

How about getting rid of all primaries, switching to caucuses in which only dues paying members can vote?

I could live with it .

[Swordsmyth]

You could go for a hybrid system where half of all delegates are chosen in a caucus system and half in a primary, that way casual supporters would feel included but dues paying members would get an extra say in running the party.

[specsaregood]

You could go for a hybrid system where half of all delegates are chosen in a caucus system and half in a primary, that way casual supporters would feel included but dues paying members would get an extra say in running the party.

$#@! that, why should taxpaying members that are not part of either party have to pay for a primary system? let the private parties cover the costs of a caucus themselves.

[timosman]

Rev 3.0, the pollster.

[Swordsmyth]

$#@! that, why should taxpaying members that are not part of either party have to pay for a primary system? let the private parties cover the costs of a caucus themselves.

You could require the party to pay for the primary.