Over the past two decades, Western Europe has witnessed a boom in new political parties that have obtained significant electoral results, naturally embracing digital technologies and seeking to challenge their traditional counterparts by reconnecting with the citizenry. With a critical review of the main attributes and concepts used so far by the most relevant literature, we propose a new perspective to delimit this phenomenon that allows us to observe it as a whole and not as a particular case. By focusing on scholars who underscore the importance of the historic origin to understand parties, we formulate a generational approach for setting a cohort and analyzing whether the fact that parties share contextual conditions when they emerge also means they have some common features, in contrast to the older political parties. We focus on three dimensions usually highlighted by case studies: strong digitalization (Gerbaudo 2018, 2019), thin structure (Biancalana 2016; Raniolo, Tarditi 2020; Tormey 2015) and more members (van Haute, Ribeiro 2022). In order to do so, we verify it empirically by operationalizing the Political Party Database PPDB round 2 with a sample of 98 parties from 13 Western European countries, comprising 29 new parties (that we generationally call crisis parties) and 69 older parties. This paper aims to better determine whether these new parties, which emerge in a particular political scenario, are (or were) different. The results show that the crisis parties are more digitalized, have less structure and have more members than the previous cohorts parties. In this sense, these crisis parties have brought about some relevant changes in Western European party systems.

In recent years, studies on democratic innovations within political parties have proliferated, driven by the success of new digital parties. However, there remains a gap in the literature regarding such innovations in mainstream and conservative parties, and particularly about the motivations behind their implementation (or lack thereof). This article uses as example the case of the Spanish People’s Party (Partido Popular or PP), one of the largest conservative parties in Europe with over 45 years of history. We identify the key organizational innovations introduced by the PP in the last decade and evaluate the impact of its digitalization on intra-party democracy. Our preliminary analysis suggests that the democratic innovations implemented by the PP, including party primaries at the national level for first time in 2018, mostly reflect a technocratic approach to organizational updating, characterized by elite-controlled democratization and uneven digitalization efforts, primarily focused on social media and communication purposes, with the absence of any e-voting mechanism. These findings, along with previous literature on the topic, suggest a recurring pattern in how conservative parties deal with their own democratization and adapt to the digital age.

In recent times, political parties have increased the options for their members to participate in their decision-making processes. The widespread use of the internet has facilitated this process, affecting the parties’ organisational structures. The article analyses how the digitalisation of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has been affected by the introduction of two new options for internal democracy: primary elections to choose its leader and consultations with its members. The research period begins in 2014, when for the first time this party elected its general secretary through primary elections and analyses the state level of this organisation. The article argues that while the PSOE has introduced new tools for internal participation, these have not allowed for a significant increase in its digitalisation.

By leveraging new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), parties can promote online forms of engagement and multi-speed membership models, innovating in their recruitment strategies and creating new member roles. This paper aims to analyse the introduction of digital enrolment, multi-speed membership options and cyber-activism in Spanish non-statewide parties (NSWPs). Our findings are based on a comparative case study of twelve parties, and data have been collected through interviews with staff members, along with the observation of their recruitment websites and statutes. Most NSWPs in Spain have developed online and multi-speed membership options. The majority of these onlinesupporter roles are focused on campaign volunteering and activism, while democratic engagement is secondary. Moreover, NSWP membership structures present hybrid models, combining online and offline activities. This study contributes to a better understanding of small and regional parties’ membership structures, bringing new evidence about the challenges and possibilities of digital membership beyond mainstream parties.

The article explores the Czech Pirate Party (CPP), identified as a networked party that utilizes digital participatory tools. The study analyzes how software design and usage norms influence the quality and extent of member participation. The CPP serves as a relevant case study due to its early adoption of digital tools for internal deliberation and voting, as well as its transition from a parliamentary party in 2017 to a governing party in 2021. The research findings indicate that, despite the inclusive nature of the party’s participatory processes, voter turnout remains relatively low. This suggests that inclusivity alone may not be sufficient to increase participation rates. The study also highlights that exclusive membership, involving a more selective process for admitting new members, may contribute to stable participation, though it can also limit the expansion of the party’s membership base. The findings provide insights that may be valuable for further research on digital parties and their internal democratic processes, illustrating how digital platforms can influence member engagement in decision-making.