Evaluate the role of political parties in a democratic political system
Answers
Functions of a Political Party
Every political party has a number of functions to perform. Here we have listed some of them.
A political party contests elections by putting up candidates.
In countries like the USA, the candidates are selected by members and supporters of a party.
On the other hand, in countries like India, the candidates are chosen by top party leaders.
Every party has different policies and programmes. Voters make a choice in accordance with the policies and programmes liked by them.
In a democratic country, a large group of people that has certain similar opinions group together and form a party. Then then, give a direction to the policies adopted by the government.
Those parties which lose elections form the opposition. They voice different views and criticise the government for their failures and mobilize opposition to the government.
Political parties shape public opinion. With the help of the pressure groups, the parties launch movements for solving problems faced by the people.
Parties even offer access to government machinery and welfare schemes. The local party leader serves as a link between the citizen and the government officer.
Importance of Political Parties
A democracy cannot exist without the presence of a political party. This is clear from the function performed by the political parties. In case, there are no political parties then:
Every candidate in the election would be an independent candidate. Any individual candidate does not have the efficiency to promise any major policy change to the people. In such a scenario, no one will be responsible for how the country is run.
In the long run, only a representative democracy can survive. Political parties are the agencies that gather different views on various issues and present them to the government.
Answer:
1. In government, political parties are performing an significant job. They bring individuals together to accomplish public control, create policies that promote their interests or organizations, and organize and convince voters to elect their candidates for office.
2. Although heavily engaged in public operations at all levels, political parties are not the government itself, and they are not mentioned by the Constitution. There can be no democracy without a political party. This is evident from the political parties' function. If it does, then there are no political parties.
3. Each candidate would be an independent candidate in the election. No single candidate has the effectiveness to promise the people any significant policy changes. No one will be accountable for how the nation is running in such a situation. Only a representative democracy may survive in the long run. Political parties are the organizations that collect and present distinct opinions on distinct problems to the government.