Q: What is Political party?

Introduction: Political parties are an integral part of political system. A political party is a
group of people which is a crucial link between the government and the people, influencing
public policy and securing power. It shapes the political landscape, offers citizens choices,
and facilitates dialogue between policymakers and the public. Political parties are active in
political activities, policy formulation, and legislative processes, making them indispensable
actors in the democratic process.

Origin and growth of Political Parties: Political parties have a long history, before 150
political parties were distrusted, evaded and deplored. During that period political parties
works against national interest. Political parties came into limelight during the 17th and
18th centuries when factions formed in England and colonial America. In the 19th century,
they evolved into formalized entities, with the Conservative and Liberal parties in the UK
and Democratic and Republican parties in the US. Socialist and labor parties gained
prominence during this period. The interwar period saw the rise of extremist parties,
leading to the collapse of democratic governance. Post-WWIII, political parties have adapted
to multi-party systems, reflecting increased fragmentation and new movements and started
work for national interest. Hence we can say that political parties are fully emerged in 20th
century.

Meaning and Definition: According to Leacock, "By a political party we mean more or less
organised group of citizens who act together as a political unit. They share or profess to
share the same opinions on public questions and by exercising their voting power towards a
common end, seek to obtain control of the Government" ( Leacock: "Elements of Political
Science", p. 311.)

 According to Gettell, "A political party consists of a group of citizens more or less
organised who act as political unit and who by the use of their voting power aim to
control the Government and carry out their general policies" . ( Gettle: "Political
Science", p. 327)
 Gilchrist says. "A political party may thus be defined as an organised group of citizens
who prefer to share the same political views and who by acting as a political unit try to
control the government" (Gilchrist: "Political Science", p. 327.)

4 requirements of definition: Lapalombara & Weiner (1966, 6) put forward four criteria for
a political party:

1. Continuity in organization
2. Manifest and presumably permanent organization at the local level and relation
between local and national unit.
 3. Self-conscious determination of leader at both at national and local levels to capture
and to hold decision making power alone.
4. A concern on the part of the organization for seeking followers.

Modes of Legitimization: There are 2 types of Legitimization.

1. Natural development:
2. Imposed development

- Natural Development of Political Party:

Definition: Natural development refers to the organic growth and evolution of political
parties that emerge spontaneously in response to societal and political needs. These parties
arise from the efforts of individuals and groups with shared interests and ideologies who
come together to pursue common political goals.

It includes:

1. Tribal parties
2. Ethnic parties
3. Religious parties
4. Class based parties

Characteristics:

 Grassroots Origins: Parties that undergo natural development typically originate at

the grassroots level, driven by the aspirations and concerns of ordinary citizens. They
may start as informal groups or movements that gradually formalize into structured
political entities.
 Ideological Cohesion: Parties formed through natural development often exhibit
greater ideological coherence and a shared vision for governance. They are more
likely to represent distinct ideological positions, which can attract loyal supporters
and foster a sense of identity among members.
 Flexibility and Adaptability: Naturally developed parties tend to be more flexible
and adaptable to changing political dynamics. They can respond to new challenges
and emerging issues more effectively due to their organic nature.
 Longevity and Sustainability: Such parties may have a higher likelihood of long-term
sustainability, as their roots are deeply embedded in societal concerns, and they are
driven by committed members rather than imposed structures.
 Wider Public Support: Natural development allows parties to build support among
diverse sections of society, as they connect with people's real-life experiences and
aspirations.
 - Imposed Development of Political Party:
Definition: Imposed development refers to the creation and shaping of political parties by
external forces, such as authoritarian regimes, foreign powers, or elite groups. These parties
are often established to serve specific interests or maintain control, rather than arising
organically from the desires and needs of the people.

Characteristics:
 Top-Down Structure: Parties that undergo imposed development often have a top-
down structure, where leadership and policies are dictated by external forces rather
than emerging from the grassroots.
 Limited Ideological Cohesion: Imposed parties may lack genuine ideological
coherence, as their primary purpose is to serve the interests of the imposing
authorities. They may adopt ideologies or rhetoric to maintain power or external
support without reflecting the true values of their members.
 Vulnerability to Change: Imposed parties may struggle to adapt to changing
circumstances and public sentiments, as their existence is tied to the will of external
actors rather than the organic support of the people.
 Lack of Legitimacy: Parties developed under external influence may face challenges
in gaining legitimacy among the broader population, as they are often perceived as
serving foreign interests or elite groups rather than the public.
 Limited Public Support: Imposed parties may struggle to build genuine public
support and may rely on coercion, manipulation, or external resources to maintain
their existence.

In summary, the natural development of political parties allows for organic growth,
grassroots support, ideological coherence, and long-term sustainability. On the other hand,
imposed development leads to top-down structures, limited ideological cohesion,
vulnerability to change, and a lack of legitimacy and genuine public support. The contrast
between these two approaches significantly influences the functioning and impact of
political parties within democratic systems.
Q: Write down the characteristics and functions of political parties?

Introduction: Political parties are essential institutions in democratic systems, involving

citizens in the political process. They have distinct characteristics like organized structures,
shared ideologies, electoral participation, and diverse interests. Understanding these
parties' roles and functions is crucial for shaping public opinion, influencing government
decisions, and fostering participatory democracy.

Characteristics of political parties:

1. Specific ideology: Political parties are defined by their shared ideologies, beliefs, and
values. These ideologies can be broad, encompassing a wide range of policies and
positions, or more specific, focusing on certain issues. There must be certain
measures of agreement on fundamental principles.
2. Membership: Political parties consist of members who support the party's platform
and participate in its activities. Members can be ordinary citizens, activists,
politicians, or elected officials.
3. Same views: Man and women holding similar views must be duly organized.
4. Specific Organizational Structure: Parties have a hierarchical structure with leaders,
officials, and committees at various levels. This structure helps coordinate activities,
set policies, and select candidates for elections.
5. Continuity in organization: Political parties are becoming political institutions and
aim both at capturing as well as retaining power once in hand. A good political party
needs continuity in organisation. In other words it should have its life on the basis of
certain policies and programme and not tied with a leader. If charisma of leader is
the basis of existence of the party, it will soon die down as soon as its leader is away
from the scene.
6. Good communication process: Then another feature of a political party is that its
members should have very close and near relationship with one another. Of course
at national level where party has large membership such an intimacy may not be
possible, but as far as possible the members should try to come close to each other.
The members in this relationship should feel that they are very near and close to
which decides the manner in which political party will function and perform its
duties and role in the days to come.
7. Coherence and a developed communication system: Then another feature is its
coherence and a developed communication system. It should have mass roots and
assess to the people. Not only this, but whatever is received as feed back at any level
of the organisation that is not absorbed by it but is communicated to higher units of
the organisation. In other words there is quick and free flow of communication
between local and higher levels of the party organization.
8. Fan base: Political party should aim at having mass base or popular support. This is
needed both at the time of elections and also otherwise. Without such a support it
 shall neither be in a position to implement its policies and programmes, nor shall it
be returned to power and authority. Such a support is both basic as well as
unavoidable.
9. Evolution and Adaptation: Political parties are not static entities. They evolve over
time, responding to societal changes, political landscapes, and emerging issues to
remain relevant and effective.
10. Representation and responsibilities: Parties act as a means of representing different
groups and interests within society. They aim to aggregate and advocate for the
preferences and concerns of their members and supporters. The party should be
prepared to shoulder responsibilities.
11. Determine policy: A good political party should have broad base for taking policy
decisions. It cannot be denied that in every political party decisions are taken by the
leaders and got endorsed by the party members. It will, therefore, be a futile
attempt to either reduce or underestimate the importance of leadership in any
political party. But if the party is not broad based and revolves round one or two
persons then that party may not last long. The members now-a- days are not
prepared to tolerate for long imposition of decisions from above.

Functions of Political parties: Political parties serve several crucial functions within a
democratic system. These functions include:

1. Representation: Political parties represent various segments of society, articulating

the interests and concerns of their members and supporters. They act as
intermediaries between citizens and the government, giving a voice to different
groups.
2. Candidate Nomination: Political parties are responsible for nominating candidates
for elections. They select individuals who align with the party's ideology and are
deemed capable of representing the party's values and policies.
3. Recruit political leaders: Political parties recruit political leaders, particularly in
totalitarian states, to maintain power and position in democracies. Properly
identified, popular leaders can maintain a party's position and power.
4. Political Platform: Parties develop a political platform that outlines their policy
positions, goals, and vision for governance. This platform serves as a roadmap for
voters to understand what the party stands for.
5. Election Campaigns: Parties engage in election campaigns to promote their
candidates and political platform. They use various strategies, such as rallies,
advertising, and media outreach, to gain public support.
6. Mobilization of Voters: Political parties mobilize voters to participate in the
democratic process. They encourage citizens to register to vote, educate them on
the issues, and drive turnout during elections.
7. Forming Governments: Winning parties or coalitions form the government after
elections. They take on executive power and implement their policies based on the
promises made during the campaign.
8. Legislative Influence: Parties with elected representatives in legislatures work to
pass legislation and influence policy decisions. They engage in debates, negotiations,
and coalition-building to shape laws and policies.
9. Policy Formulation: Political parties contribute to the formulation of public policies.
They offer alternative solutions to societal challenges, fostering a healthy debate on
critical issues.
10. Oversight and Accountability: Parties that are not in power play a critical role as the
opposition. They scrutinize the government's actions, hold it accountable, and
propose alternatives, ensuring checks and balances.
11. Socialization and Education: Political parties play a role in political socialization by
educating the public about political processes, ideologies, and the importance of
civic engagement.
12. Stability and Consensus-Building: In multi-party systems, parties often work towards
building coalitions and consensus on vital issues. This fosters political stability and
reduces the risk of government instability.
13. Government Critique: Opposition parties offer constructive criticism and alternative
policies, encouraging the ruling party to improve governance and address public
concerns effectively.
14. Advocacy and Lobbying: Political parties, especially those with a specific focus,
advocate for the interests of specific groups, sectors, or causes. They engage in
lobbying to influence policy decisions in favor of their constituents.
15. Fostering Democracy: Political parties are essential components of a functioning
democratic system. They provide choices to voters, ensure accountability, and
enable citizens to participate in the decision-making process.
16. Building Political Alliances: Political parties form alliances and coalitions with other
parties to strengthen their electoral prospects or to gain a parliamentary majority.
These alliances help shape government formation and policy outcomes.
17. Engaging in Political Debates: Parties engage in political debates and discussions,
both within their ranks and with other parties. These exchanges contribute to the
development of robust and well-informed political discourse.
18. Facilitating Social Change: Political parties can be agents of social change,
advocating for reforms and policies that address pressing societal issues such as
human rights, environmental protection, and economic equality.
19. International Engagement: Political parties may participate in international
organizations or networks, facilitating cooperation and knowledge-sharing on global
challenges and policies.
20. Monitoring Government Performance: Opposition parties play a vital role in
monitoring government performance and holding ruling parties accountable for their
actions, decisions, and policies.
21. Negotiating Policy Compromises: In coalition governments, political parties
negotiate policy compromises and trade-offs to advance their respective agendas
while ensuring stable governance.
22. Crisis Management: During times of crisis or emergency, political parties collaborate
to find solutions and provide a unified response to challenges facing the nation.
23. Raising Public Awareness: Political parties raise public awareness on critical issues,
encouraging citizen engagement and activism beyond just electoral cycles.
24. Advocating for Electoral Reforms: Political parties may advocate for electoral
reforms to improve the electoral system's transparency, fairness, and
representativeness.
25. Promoting National Unity: Political parties can work to foster national unity and
cohesion by promoting shared values and common goals.

Conclusion: Political parties play a crucial role in societies by representing diverse

segments, shaping governance, and promoting inclusivity. They shape policy outcomes
and contribute to stability, accountability, and social change. Understanding their
characteristics and functions is essential for political science students and citizens to
engage responsibly and contribute to a more just and equitable society. Understanding
these parties' characteristics and functions is essential for citizens as they shape society
and contribute to a more just and equitable society.