Pipers Woerterbuch zur Politik

Authors: Nohlen
Summary: In 130 words the entry mainly reviews the history of the meaning of the term. In the party literature the term has been used in a negative way to describe political groups driven by egoistic self interest (Federalist Papers). Today the term is used more neutral to describe a sub-group of party members which share a group consciousness, the ability to organize themselves, and distinct views. Especially large populist parties consist of factions.