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What are the functions of political parties?

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Read On: Meaning, Types and Functions of Political Parties


Political parties are very important in the contemporary state system because they give meaning to the democratic process as important institutional components of liberal democracy.

Thus, this article will examine the functions of political parties. Involved in this analysis is the explanation of the primary functions of political parties as instruments of political interaction and participation.

 

Meaning of a Political Party

A political party is an organized group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.

The purpose of the political party is to get candidates elected to public office. In a sustainable and well-functioning democracy, political parties are deeply and durably rooted in specific substructures of society.

To this end, they can link the governmental institutions to the elements of the civil society in a free and fair society and are regarded as necessary for the effective functioning of a democratic political system.

The presence of the political party is a healthy situation for a democratic society since it allows people to make a more evolved and effective decision.

In a broader perspective, a political party is a means through which the people can speak to the government and have a say in the process of governance.

Read On: Meaning, Types and Functions of Political Parties


Functions of Political Parties

In a democratic society, political parties perform the following key roles, among others:

(1) Soliciting and articulating public policy priorities and civic needs and problems as identified by members and supporters

(2) Recruiting and training candidates for public office;

(3) Socializing and educating voters and citizens in the functioning of the political and electoral system and the general political values

(4) Balancing opposing demands and converting into general policies

(6) Channeling public opinion from citizens to government.

It is noteworthy; however, that though political parties fulfill many vital roles and perform several functions in a democratic society, recruiting candidates for public office is one of the most important functions that political parties perform.

An important goal of political parties is to gain control of the government and to do this, parties must work to recruit candidates for all elected offices.

Read On: Meaning, Types and Functions of Pressure Group


Conclusion on Functions of Political Parties

Political parties are principal pillars of any democratic system. They provide an opportunity for citizens to make political decisions either by influencing government policies or voting for the competing candidates in elections.

By so doing, they not only serve as intermediaries between the government and civil society but also offer citizens a choice in governance.

All these are central to the wider consolidation of democracy.

In this post, we have examined the meaning and functions of political parties as instruments of political interaction.

The post also examined the meaning and functions of political parties.

Involved this analysis is the functions of political parties and strategies they deploy in achieving their objectives.

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