A political party is
defined as an organised 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.
Parties tend to be deeply
and durably entrenched in specific substructures of society in a
sustainable and well functioning democracy. 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 functioning any modern democratic political system.
Political parties perform
key tasks in a democratic society, such as
- Soliciting and articulating public policy priorities
and civic needs and problems as identified by members and supporters
- socialising and educating
voters and citizens in the functioning of the political and electoral
system and the generation of general political values
- balancing opposing demands and
converting them into general policies
- Activating and mobilising
citizens into participating in political decisions and transforming their
opinions into viable policy options
- Channelling public opinion from
citizens to government
- Recruiting and training
candidates for public office
Political parties are often
described as institutionalized mediators between civil society and those who
decide and implement decisions. As such, they enable their members’ and supporters’
demands to be addressed in parliament
and in government. Even though parties fulfil many vital roles and perform
several functions in a democratic society, the nomination and presentation of
candidates in the electoral campaign is the most visible function to the
electorate.
To perform the above
mentioned tasks and functions, political parties and citizens need some rights
and obligations guaranteed or ruled by constitution or law. These
include
- Freedom of
organisation
- Freedom to
stand for election
- Freedom of
speech and assembly
- Provision of a fair and
peaceful competition among parties and candidates
- Mechanisms
to ensure plurality
- Inclusion in the electoral
process and contacts with electoral bodies
- A level playing field and freedom
from discrimination
- Media access and fair reporting
guarantees
- Transparent
and accountable political finance
The internal functioning of
individual political parties is to some extent determined by forces that are
external to political parties, such as the electoral system, political culture,
and legal regulations. However, internal processes of political parties, such
as the personality of leaders and staff, the ideological foundations, party
history, and internal political culture are considered to be even more
influential on the internal functioning. If a political party would like the
democratic principles of electoral politics to be applied within the party,
they may consider practices like internal information and consultation
processes, internal (formal or informal) rules and structures for the
organisation and decision-making within the party, and transparency in the
party’s functioning at all levels. Party members may also take on more formal
roles in decision-making like participating in internal elections for
leadership positions or in selecting the party’s candidate(s) in the upcoming
elections. Many parties also work actively to enhance the role of traditionally
under-represented groups in their parties.
Role of political parties
But a situation where by the internal selection itself is unfairly done, the people are dissatisfied and as such they express openly. And the only way to ensure that the party still win its election is by rigging. In summary therefore if discipline is instill right in the political parties, it will help check the system in general. Because perhaps it's the same actors that are in the game.