Breaking the Mould? The Emergence of the Progressive Democrats in Ireland.

One of the most interesting political phenomena in Western Europe in the 1980s has been the emergence of new parties. Ireland appears to be no exception to these developments and the new party, the Progressive Democrats, with its aspiration to "break the mould", suggests parallels with the Liberal Alliance in Britain. The Alliance in Britain may be regarded as holding the middle ground, but it is doubtful whether the Progressive Democrats could substantiate a claim to hold a similar position between the principal parties in the Republic. The Progressive Democrats' appeal to the electors was limited in a geographical sense, since they did not offer candidates in each of the 41 constituencies.