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party discipline

Modern parties are disciplined in the sense that, once elected to a representative assembly under the label of a party , it is expected that the member will adhere to the general principles and platform of the party and will vote with his or her colleagues in the assembly.  If the member does not conform to the decisions of the party, he or she may be threatened with expulsion from the party caucus and the withdrawal of the party’s endorsement at the next election (see nomination ).  This is a powerful inducement for members to conform to the party line.  It is the price that members must pay for using the party label to gain election, and to gain the benefits of party membership.
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