Parties, Candidates and Citizens On-Line - Åbo Akademi

understanding of the normalization and equalization theories, the findings are a step
forward. Likewise, in the discussion on the operationalization of the dependent variable,
the study shed light on how the findings per se have been constructed by different
scholars. Findings interpreted as normalization were found to depend on either off- and
on-line visibility, or website performance being dominated by major parties. Findings of
equalization appeared mostly dependent on smaller parties staying in stride with the major
parties in terms of website performance.
Thirdly, the general QCA analysis found two minimum logical conditions either of
which had been present in the studies where normalization had been found. The analysis
found one minimum logical condition for findings of equalization. Pertaining to the
general spread of the theories, this indicates that normalization has been found in more
varied conditions than equalization. Objectively speaking, equalization appears dependent
on more uniform conditions than normalization. Obviously, this conclusion must be
regarded as quite tentative due to the low number of cases used in the analysis.
Fourthly, the findings provide interesting information on how the combinations of
different independent variables are linked to the dependent variable. Given that the
dependent variable has been operationalized in sufficiently similar ways by scholars, this
information also provides an important piece of information in understanding the causes
of normalization and equalization. However, in a theoretical perspective, these findings
seem somewhat surprising. For the first minimum condition linked to findings of
normalization – dichotomous measurement of party websites in plurality election systems
in countries with low technological development – the absence of both high technological
development and scaled measurement contradicts the logic of the operationalizations of
these variables. The QCA, however, views the independent variables as dependent on
each other and does not give any specific information on the explanatory power of the
individual independent variable. The first minimum logical condition linked to findings of
normalization could, therefore, indicate that the presence of a plurality election system
has resulted in findings of normalization even though two unfavourable conditions were
present. Concerning the second logical minimum condition for findings of normalization
– scaled measurement of party website contents in countries with a long history of
democratic status, high technological development and unrestricted media environment –
the conditions are in line with the theoretical discussion. The election system is, however,
irrelevant to the outcome in this condition. It would seem that normalization occurs when
the election system is plurality but no other favourable conditions are met, or regardless of
the election system when all other conditions are favourable.
Only one minimum logical condition was found for findings of equalization:
scaled measurement of party websites in countries with a long history of democratic
status and a more open on-line than off-line media environment. Again, both the history
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