The "Mannerpartei": distinctive type of organisation only for far-right parties?

In populism research, Cas Mudde's comparative concept of the "Mannerpartei" is used to describe right-wing populist parties. Based on a quantitative survey of active party members in the run-up to the 2017 federal election (N = 7923), this article examines the extent to which this concept can be applied to the "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) and what differences and similarities exist with the six other parties represented in the German Bundestag. While international research on voting behaviour and manifestos of right-wing populist parties has been available for some time, the gender composition of right-wing party organisations is still a research desideratum. Founded in 2013, the AfD is an interesting object of research because it stands out from the traditional appearance of far-right parties, especially due to its inclusive intra-party democracy and its dual leadership, which usually includes a woman. According to the gender analysis of membership, attitudes, and participation, the AfD is different from the other parties. But the compared parties also exhibit masculine characteristics, albeit to a lesser degree. Regarding the gender dimension, a gradual differentiation of the AfD from the other parties appears more meaningful than a distinctive one. Based on the empirical findings, it is proposed to replace the imprecise classification of the "Mannerpartei" with a multidimensional typology that can make relational statements about the masculine character of party organisations and their anti-feminism. This comparative party analysis is intended to contribute to both gender studies and party research that focusses on populist party organisations.