Does direct democracy matter for political parties? An empirical test in the Swiss cantons

According to most political scientists and commentators, direct democracy s eems to weaken political parties. Our empirical analysis in the 26 Swiss ca ntons shows that this thesis in its general form cannot be maintained. Poli tical parties in cantons with extensive use of referendums and initiatives are not in all respects weaker than parties in cantons with little use of d irect democratic means of participation. On the contrary, direct democracy goes together with more professional and formalized party organizations. Us e of direct democracy is associated with more fragmented and volatile party systems, and with greater support for small parties, but causal interpreta tions of these relationships are difficult.