Routledge Understanding Political Participation: Green Party Membership in Scotland

Developing a framework of analysis which enables a detailed empirical investigation of Scottish Green Party membership, this is a detailed assessment of why people become members of a green party. The questions are particularly relevant in the light of declining political participation. Lynn Bennie responds to the gap in the literature on green and small parties and builds on the work of other researchers who have used similar methods to explore membership of the larger parties. The volume incorporates an extensive review of participation literature; details the history of the Scottish Green Party; documents extensive survey data of party members; and develops an understanding of motivations behind membership of a green party. It will prove ideal for courses on political behaviour and green politics, and be of interest to sociologists and political science researchers. Review 'This pioneering study of members of the Scottish Green Party - which now has seven representatives in the Scottish Parliament - is a valuable addition to the small but growing number of empirically-based studies of party members in Britain. It is firmly grounded in theories of participation and also provides much fascinating material on the problems faced by small parties on the fringes of British politics. For students of green politics it is an indispensable work.' Professor David Denver, Lancaster University, UK 'This timely and thoroughly researched study of the Scottish Greens will not only be required reading for anybody interested in contemporary Scottish politics but its insights will also be of great interest to students of political behaviour across Europe and around the world.' Wolfgang Rüdig, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 'It is meticulously researched...Bennie's final suggestion for future research is also sound...this is a readable book, well-written and containing many interesting facts...' europeananalysis.com 'By putting the development and likely future of the Scottish Greens within the context of decades of research about parties and social movements, Bennie gives us a valuable contribution to understanding those political entities.' British Politics Group Newsletter 'This book is highly recommended to individuals interested in political science, sociology and environment.' USI Journal About the Author Lynn Bennie is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen, UK.