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

Democratic Party of Guinea, 821
Variables and Codes for 1950-1962
9-- Organizational Power Variables
9.01

Nationalization of Structure

9.05

Formulating Policy

9.02

Selecting the National Leader

9.06

Controlling Communications

9.03

Selecting Parliamentary Candidates

9.07

Administering Discipline

9.04

Allocating Funds

9.08

Leadership Concentration


9.01 nationalization of structure
5 for 1957-62, AC9
There was a discernible party hierarchy which was crowned by the BPN and which had foundations in local and regional levels through which policy-making decisions were filtered
9.02 selecting the national leader
8 for 1950-62, AC7.
Toure's leadership of the PDG during our time period was unchallenged. The process by which he became leader is unclear, and no provisions for succession to his position were acknowledged during our period.
9.03 selecting parliamentary candidates
5 for 1957-62, AC8
Two sources indicate that the local levels of the Guinean polity were given some liberty in choosing candidates. However, their choices were subject to approval by a national election commission which could reject candidates who go against the party line.
9.04 allocating funds
2 for 1957-62, AC8.
It appears that each echelon of the party was given a great deal of freedom in collecting funds for its particular level. The national organization apparently collected funds separately from the lower echelons, although it did have jurisdiction over fraudulent use of local funds.
9.05 formulating policy
6 for 1957-62, AC9
Through democratic centralism, the BPN determined party policy with open discussion. These decisions were then presented to the masses for ratification, although this was not always the case and was merely plebiscitary in nature.
9.06 controlling communications
7 for 1957-62, AC9
There were at least two mass-media organs controlled by the national level of the PDG, "Horoya" and "La Liberte." Both were strongly or totally oriented towards PDG propaganda.
9.07 administering discipline
4 for 1957-62, AC8
All evidence points to a wide ranging disciplinary power residing in the national party organization, the BPN. There is no specific reference to discipline emanating from the parliamentary body, so it must be assumed that the BPN had ultimate disciplinary power
9.08 leadership concentration
4 for 1957-62, AC7
While Toure had final authority over most PDG decisions, the BPN supposedly acted as a collegial executive which over-ruled Toure on occasion. Yet some sources maintain that Toure had complete decision-making power.