Organization of the dominant parties

Abstract

The analysis of the party organization covers two different organizational levels: First, the structure of the party itself. This analytical level is mainly confined to the dominant parties UMNO and ANC themselves. Second, it is the co-operation of the ruling parties with other important actors within society. This level of analysis trans-cends the mere examination of the core party organization and scrutinizes the linkag-es with other organizations, concentrating mainly on the type of linked organization and the quality of its linkage. This two-tier approach renders possible a differentiated picture of the party organization as well as of its penetration into society. 4.1 Malaysia – Characteristics within the party organization of UMNO UMNO has been dominating the political system of Malaysia for a long time because the party has enjoyed the support of many different groups within society. Such broad support requires an equally broad and diverse body. Thus UMNO exhibits a variety of different characteristics, which can by and large be divided into two groups. The first group comprises formal characteristics, such as the size of member-ship or affiliated organizations. These characteristics can be easily measured and described. Alongside this first group there is a second consisting of informal charac-teristics of the party organization, such as the extent of factionalism and patronage. Despite the difficulty to measure these characteristics they are an integral part of the party organization. In order to obtain a comprehensive picture of UMNO's structure, it is therefore necessary to examine both formal and informal characteristics. Howev-er, the analysis is preceded by a short historical overview to deepen the understand-ing of the respective ruling party and to provide a historical framework within which the analysis is later embedded.