Wie viel Bodenhaftung haben die Parteien? Zum Zusammenhang von Parteimitgliedschaft und Herkunftsmilieu

Most party researchers assume that today's political parties in Germany only have loose ties to their social origins. Results of the Potsdam Party Member Project (Potsdamer Parteimitgliederprojekt), however, amend and correct this view in central aspects: Firstly, although the memberships' profiles of all political parties show similar occupational structures, they still differ strongly regarding the predominant religious affiliations of their members. Secondly, party members are enrolled in different community or political organizations (Vorfeldorganisationen) like trade unions, trade associations, citizens' groups, volunteer fire departments etc. Thirdly, if they exist, traditional milieus continue to heavily influence party affiliations. Like before, members of the typical traditional milieus are organized in "their" specific parties. Parties remain affiliated with their respective social groups in distinctive ways - despite the fact that the professional backgrounds of their members have become more similar. Today, party members are bound to their milieus less by their occupational position than by their membership in linkage organizations.