Question

state the various function of political parties performing democracy..

Answer 1

The functions political parties perform in a democracy are:

1) Candidates are put forward by parties to contest in elections. These candidates may be chosen by the members of the party or by the leaders of the party.

2) Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.

3) Parties play an important role in making laws for a country. Laws are usually debated and passed in the legislature.

4) Parties form and run governments. They recruit leaders and train them to be ministers and run the government in the way they want it.

5) Parties that lose the election form the opposition. The opposition voices different views and criticize the failures of the government.

6) Parties shape public opinion. They have lakhs of members all over the country, and they play a great role in influencing the way people think.

7) Parties provide the common man access to government machinery and welfare schemes. It is easier for a person to meet a local party leader than a government official.

Answer 2

The following are the functions that political parties perform in a democracy.

1. Contest elections: Parties contest elections. In countries like India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.
2. Put forward policies & programmes: Parties put forward different policies and programmes and voters choose from them. Political parties accommodate views and opinions.
3. Play an important role in making laws: Political parties play a decisive role in the making of laws for a country. Formally, laws are debated and passed in the legislature but since most of the members belong to a party, they go by the direction of the party leadership, irrespectve of their personal opinions.
4. Form and run government: To run the government, political parties prepare council of ministers by recruiting and training them.
5. Provide access to government machinery and welfare schemes: Political parties provide access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by the governments. For an ordinary citizen, it is easy to approach a local party leader than a government officer.
6. Play the role of opposition: The party which loses the election, plays the role of opposition. The opposition party tries to put a check on the ruling party by constantly criticising its policies.
7. Shape public opinion: One of the most important functions of political parties is to shape public opinion on relevant issues for the proper functioning of the government and to deepen the concept of democracy.