European Tribune - Comments - PS Primaries

PS Primaries - Voting has begun | 92 comments (92 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

I guess I've never thought about it, but these numbers strike me as shockingly low, when you consider that the oft-defamed ACLU in the U.S. has over 500,000 card-carrying members! And just in my own little state, which has a third the population of France, there are 5.5 million registered Democrats and 3.1 million registered Republicans.

By the way, can someone tell us how much dues are for a typical political party in Europe? Is it really prohibitively expensive?

by Matt in NYC on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 05:14:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fascinating (4.00 / 2)

I pay about $35 a year.

But it's not strange the American parties have many members, after all, you're not allowed to vote if you are not a party member in the US, right?

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 05:39:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fascinating (4.00 / 2)

And I pay about 1 dollar a year to Piratpartiet (but we have had discussions on raising the membership fee).

As I understand it, in the US you are not allowed to vote in the primaries unless you are registered for the party having the primary. In the regular elections you need to be registered, but you can register as an independent.

A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!

by A swedish kind of death on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 05:43:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

That's mostly right (4.00 / 3)

Although it depends on the state. In a few states, you can just show up on the day of the primary and "declare" yourself a Republican or a Democrat. And in some other states it's quite easy to change your registration back and forth.

by Matt in NYC on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 05:49:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fascinating (4.00 / 2)

As said elsewhere, being registered and being party member is different -- the latter involves much more commitment and participation.

I have no clue what's "typical". But I did look up some figures for you.

Hungary, MSzP: minimum 100 Ft/month ($0.5), party members pay more on their own
Hungary, Fidesz: 500 Ft/month ($2.5)
Germany, SPD: the lowest price is €2.5 for students and low-income people, for normal party members, €5 to €245 minimum (increasing as function of income)
Germany, Greens: 1% of netto income or more

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 06:01:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fascinating (none / 0)

for normal party members

Erm, I mean normal earners.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 06:06:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

PS Primaries - Voting has begun | 92 comments (92 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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