September 1, 2005

Strengthening Democracy:
The Positive Role of Political Parties in a Crisis Situation

U.S. Embassy Speaker Edward McMahon, University of Vermont
August 25-September 1, 2005

Visiting U.S. scholar and political party expert Professor Edward McMahon is in Nepal at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy to discuss with politicians at all levels the positive role that parties can play in crisis situations. Drawing on his experience in democratic countries that have emerged from conflict, Mr. McMahon has discussed key elements of political leadership, strategic planning, and coalition building in a series of workshops in both Kathmandu and Biratnagar. Participants explored issues such as transparency in policy-making and leadership structures, long-term planning and political vision, and interacting with those who give political parties their real power--constituents.

As countries seek to establish and deepen democratic systems, it is vital that political parties have the people’s confidence and support. This is especially true in conflict situations, where democracy is under great stress and pressure. The following are ideas that have come directly from Nepali political leaders in Mr. McMahon’s workshops on how parties can strengthen their ability to be responsive to the people’s needs.

A) Build Credibility
i) Internal party democracy: election of party leadership and key policy committees, quotas to ensure disadvantaged group representation, term limits for party leadership, more grassroots input into MP candidate selection, development of evaluation processes for party policies
ii) Transparency in party finances: independent and authoritative audits, declaration of wealth by party leaders, use of banking systems for party finance, finance reform legislation, possible state funding of political parties
iii) Expand party managerial and resource capacity
iv) Acknowledge past errors while noting actual achievements of democratic period

B) Message Development
i) Opinion-gathering: polling, focus groups, commissions, hearings, testing messages
ii) Identify specific groups to which party wishes to appeal to broaden base of support and develop appropriate, targeted messages
iii) Have focused messages that are consistently communicated
iv) Articulate positive vision that moves beyond generalities and is also realistic, credible and achievable 

C) Coalition-Building
i) Institutional context: electoral reform (proportional representation, threshold vote), political party laws
ii) Development of a democratic political culture of trust and recognition of greater common good: pre-election coalition, code of conduct of parties
 

Professor Edward R. McMahon is a lecturer at the University of Vermont in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics and the Department of Political Science. He is a senior research associate at Freedom House and also has worked for the Department of State, USAID, and the National Democratic Institute. Professor McMahon holds an M.A. in political science from Boston University and is a frequent contributor to democracy and political party institution building programs around the world, including for the Council of Foreign Relations, the UN, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.