Path: ICPP > ICPP1980 > Table of Contents > Essay on Party Politics > Party 821

Democratic Party of Guinea, 821
Variables and Codes for 1950-1962
8-- Organizational Complexity Variables
8.01

Structural Articulation

8.05

Frequency of National Meetings

8.02

Intensiveness of Organization

8.06

Maintaining Records

8.03

Extensiveness of Organization

8.07

Pervasiveness of Organization

8.04

Frequency of Local Meetings


8.01 structural articulation
6 for 1950-56, AC3
6 for 1957-62, AC7
There were three national party organizations--Bureau Politique Nationale, Conference Nationale, and Party Congress. They had overlapping functions and their membership was determined mainly by prescribed selection through elections among party members.
8.02 intensiveness of organization
5 for 1950-62, AC9
Village committees (sometimes called cells or ward committees) appeared to be the basic organizational unit of the PDG. The membership ranged from a handful to several hundred, but less than 1000 in most cases.
8.03 extensiveness of organization
6 for 1950-62, AC9
The village level organization is extensive and specifically covers all areas of the Guinean nation. It is party policy to ensure that there are party organs in every part of the country.
8.04 frequency of local meetings
6 for 1957-62, AC9
The local units are required to meet once a week.
8.05 frequency of national meetings
6 for 1957-62, AC6
The BPN (which most closely fits the description of a national meeting) met monthly and probably more often than that since most Guinean governmental was generated in that body.
8.06 maintaining records
10 for 1957-62, AC5
While there is strong agreement about party propagandizing activities, there is no conclusive evidence about the maintenance of membership lists. It would appear likely that the party maintains membership lists since they issue membership cards.
8.07 pervasiveness of organization
18 for 1957-62, AC9
The PDG permeated all the ancillary organizations of the nation. There were special groups among women, youth (JRDA), labour (UGTAN), veterans, army, and intellectuals. The score of 18 indicates that the PDG had rather strict control over all these groups and it actively employed their organizations in the role of furthering the development of the nation.