The aim of this study is to understand the effects of traditional and long-term group relations on elections in modern society. It focuses on intermediary actors who exert a great influence on the formation of political opinions in everyday life as well as in election campaigns. Based on the case of South Korea, the functions and forms of intermediary actors are examined. The questions are as follows: To what extent do previous and long-term institutions have a lasting influence on elections?

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... o are the intermediary actors involved in the process of democratization? How do old and new intermediary actors interact? In the first step, this study identifies three types of intermediary actors behind the scene of democratic elections in South Korea: (1) clientelistic networks, (2) civil society organizations, and (3) politician fan clubs. In the second step, it outlines four fields of interaction between them.