But political parties also need some degree of hierarchical organization to function effectively, especially during election campaigns when decisions require expertise and must sometimes be made quickly. Based on extensive experience working with political parties in countries around the world, one participant emphasized the need for effective organization that elicits member participation. Membership, he argued, must be defined and structured in some way. A membership fee, for example, provides an incentive for members to seek some voice and to be active in party affairs. In parties around the world, reform in recent years has focused more on the first two areas than the third.
Leaders tend to want to keep a tight grip on policy formulation.
One way to make them more accountable and to enhance democracy within the party is to provide for regular rotation in party offices. The vote, which is held by secret ballot, ensures that the leader is accountable to the party on a regular basis and cannot remain as leader indefinitely. In addition, Fine Gael party rules can only be amended at a general party congress, and any change must be confirmed by a mail ballot of all party members. Some years ago, the selection of delegates to the party congress was opened up to a vote by all members of the party branch, but only people who had been members for at least three months could vote. These various measures provide a check against the party being hijacked by a particular faction.