Political Scientists do not understand very well the process by which diverse groups are forged into effective and enduring political coalitions such as political parties. Although a variety of explanations have been advanced which variously emphasize the importance of the political environment, the role of leadership, the nature of basic social and economic divisions in society, and the nature of existing political and social institutions, rigorous tests of these competing explanations have been hampered both by inadequate theory and by a lack of appropriate data. This ambitious doctoral dissertation research refines and tests a theory of party formation through comparative analyses of the formation of Christian Democratic parties in Italy and France following World War II. Blending statistical analyses and intensive case studies this project will test a series of interrelated hypotheses linking the development of parties to the degree of support provided by government officials, the existence of ancillary institutions such as churches which support party formation, and the choices made by party leaders. When completed this study will provide important insights into the process by which democratic political parties are established and succeed or fail. In addition to contributing to fundamental knowledge about political processes the lessons learned from this research should provide valuable guidance to he development of democratic political parties in the formerly authoritarian states of eastern europe.
