Final answer:
The weakening of political parties globally is due to various factors such as corruption, party identification decline, ineffective organizations, ideological gaps, and the rise of populism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weakening of political parties worldwide can be attributed to several factors, including systemic corruption, diminished party identification, ineffective party organizations, and the lack of ideological representation.
For instance, the traditional parties in both Venezuela and Indonesia were heavily undermined, leading to the rise of populist leaders like Hugo Chávez and President Joko Widodo, respectively. In these countries, corruption, patronage, and institutional failings played significant roles in the decline of established party systems.
The situation is not dissimilar in the United States, where increased polarization has led to a divided government and a challenging environment for achieving policy goals.
Over the past decades, the U.S. has also observed a rise in populist movements, with party loyalties among the electorate undergoing changes. Factors contributing to this trend include economic shifts like deindustrialization, the changing role of class in political mobilization, and the influence of new communication technologies.
In Europe, the scenario reflects a decrease in party membership levels, a reduction in party activism, and the transition towards candidate-centered campaigns, all contributing to a weakened party system across many established democracies.