SYRIZA’S electoral rise in Greece: protest, trust and the art of political manipulation

Tsakatika, M. (2016) SYRIZA’S electoral rise in Greece: protest, trust and the art of political manipulation. South European Society and Politics, 21(4), pp. 519-540. (doi: 10.1080/13608746.2016.1239671)

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Abstract

Between 2010 and 2015, a period of significant political change in Greece, the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), a minor party, achieved and consolidated major party status. This article explores the role of political strategy in SYRIZA’s electoral success. It argues that contrary to accepted wisdom, targeting a ‘niche’ constituency or protesting against the establishment will not suffice for a minor party to make an electoral breakthrough. SYRIZA’s case demonstrates that unless a minor party is ready to claim that it is willing and able to take on government responsibility, electoral advancement will not be forthcoming. The success of SYRIZA’s strategy can be attributed to favourable electoral demand factors and apt heresthetic manipulation of issue dimensions.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Tsakatika, Professor Myrto
Authors: Tsakatika, M.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
Journal Name:South European Society and Politics
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:1360-8746
ISSN (Online):1743-9612
Published Online:25 October 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor and Francis Group
First Published:First published in South European Society and Politics 21(4): 519-540
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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