Publication: Introduction to the Sociology of Political Parties – Alexandre Dézé

Publication of Alexandre Dézé’s book, *Endgame: An Investigation into an Alleged Decline*, 1st edition, September 2025, 304 pages – ISBN 9782724644708

Summary:

The book exposes the many flaws in the science of political parties as it has developed—a field with little regard for epistemology, steeped in normative preconceptions, and obsessed with the creation of typologies. In doing so, it partially overturns what we thought we knew about political parties.

Political parties are in crisis, in decline, on the verge of extinction… This claim is constantly repeated, whether in the media, in politics, or in academic circles. Yet one need only observe day-to-day political life, in France as elsewhere, to see that partisan organizations continue to play a central role. Where, then, does the thesis of the decline of political parties come from, how did it gain traction in research, and what is its merit?

To address this question, Alexandre Dézé offers a comprehensive review of the literature on political parties and invites readers to reflect on the construction of dominant knowledge. After tracing the origins of the “decline” thesis, he exposes its conceptual and empirical weaknesses and examines the conditions that allowed it to gain traction in academic circles.

In particular, the book exposes the many flaws in the science of political parties as it has developed—a field that pays little attention to epistemology, is steeped in normative preconceptions, and is obsessed with producing typologies. As such, this book partially overturns what we thought we knew about political parties.

Publisher's website: https://www.pressesdesciencespo.fr/fr/book/?GCOI=27246100747400#h2tabDetails