Political Parties
Political parties are an essential part of democracy. Parties are the link between government and the
people.
Meaning of Political Party:
A political party is an organization formed by a group of people with a certain ideology and agenda to
contest elections and hold power in the government. A political party has three components: a leader,
active members and the followers.
Instead, a political party is a group of dedicated people who come together to win elections, operate the
government, and determine public policy.
According to Gettell, “ A political party consists of a group of citizens more or less organized who act as a
political unit and who by the use of their voting power aim to control the government and to carry out
their general policies”
According to Gilchrist, “ A political party may thus be defined as an organized group of citizens who
prefer to share the same political views and who by acting as a political unit try to control the
government.”
According to MacIver, “ A political party is an association organized in support of some principle or
policy which by constitutional means it endeavors to make the determinant of government.”
Moreover, A political party consists of a group of like-minded people who work together as a unit to
influence the general public, context elections to gain control over the government.
Members of the same political party share a common goal, aims and objectives. Different political
parties compete with each other with view to influence the public policies and opinion with their
philosophies, ideals, and objectives.
2. Types of a Party System
There are three types of party system in the world namely.
i. Single-party system in which one ruling party exists and no opposition is permitted. China, Cuba,
the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) are the examples for the single-party system.
ii. Two-party system in which only two major parties exist, for example, USA, UK.
iii. Multi-party system in which there are more than two political parties, for example, India, Sri
Lanka, France and Italy.
1. A political party is a group people who share the same ideas about the way the country should be
governed.
2. They work together to introduce new laws, the alter old laws.
3. Political parties try to control what happens in Parliament by securing a majority of seats (Members of
Parliament).
4. Political Parties have policies. A good example of a policy is “education must be free for all youngsters
between the age of 5 to 18 years of age”.
5. Usually, when a political party wants to change Laws and Regulations they have to put their idea to all
the Members of Parliament. A vote then takes place and if the majority of MPs vote ‘YES’ then the
change to the Law/Regulation takes place.
A political party operates and seeks political power through constitutional means to translate its policies
into practice. It is a body of like-minded people means to translate its policies into practice. It is a body
of like-minded people having similar views on matters of public concern.
Political Parties are characterized by :-
1. Having organized group.
2. Having common ideology.
3. Seeking political power through constitutional means.
4. Implementing policies to attain goal.
5. Adopt Peaceful method
6. Organized group of people
7. The organized group of people believes in common Principles and common goals.
8. To establish a government.
Functions of political parties:
Competitive elections
Political parties compete in elections to win a majority and form a government. Members of the political
parties choose their candidates who fight for them in elections. Those candidates who either manage to
raise a lot of money or are sure to win the election are chosen. Famous personalities are also
determined to represent a political party. Candidates are selected either by all party members or only by
top party officials.
Policies and programs
Political parties talk about policies in public. They are trying to convince the public that their party’s
policies are better. They hold demonstrations, public meetings, and speeches to discuss the policies they
would adopt. They discuss the issues facing the country and the policies they would adopt once elected.
With such measures, they are trying to gain public support.
Law making
Political parties play a very important role in making laws for the country. Any proposed law is first
called a bill. A bill is debated in the legislature, and if it receives a majority, it is considered passed. Such
a bill then becomes the law of the land.
Create and run a government
The government is formed by the political party that wins the majority in the elections. That party is
called the ruling party. He builds and then runs the government. He makes all the important decisions.
Trained and experienced members become ministers who carry out the politicization of the
government.
Role of the Opposition
A political party that loses an election forms the opposition party. He controls the ruling party.
Opposition parties criticize the ruling government if it implements policies that are not in favor of the
masses. They also ensure that the ruling party does not abuse its power.
Formation of Public Opinion
Political parties discuss various issues facing the country, discuss their policies and form public opinion
on them. Party-affiliated pressure groups inform the public about various issues. They start movements
for the country’s problems and mobilize mass support for various issues.
Access to government welfare systems
Political parties form an important link between the public and the government. Leaders are
accountable to the people for the policies their party follows. It is easy for the public to reach out to
local leaders to voice their demands. Leaders cannot ignore their concerns because the public may not
vote for them in the next election.
