When Activism Meets Party Politics : How the Movement Party Volt Europa Attempts to Strengthen European Democracy: A Case Study Analysis

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to examine how the movement party Volt Europa attempts to strengthen European democracy. Using the theory-generating approach of grounded theory, a case study analysis is conducted to assess the prospects of Volt Europa's attempt. The analysis draws on insights from social movement studies, official publications of Volt Europa and information obtained from interviews that were conducted with people who hold a leading position within Volt Europa. The findings reveal that the movement party benefits from a unique organizational structure that allows it to respond to concrete issues of European democracy, by drawing on both the competences of social movements and political parties. Whereas Volt’s movement side offers through its grassroots approach a holistic way of involving citizens in European politics, the political party Volt simultaneously operates in the traditional arena of electoral politics where it strives to induce democracy-enhancing policies from within the political establishment.