Question

What are the functions of political parties?

Answer 1

1. Parties contest elections. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties.
2. Parties put forward their policies and programs before the electorate to consider and choose.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally, laws are debated and passed in the legislature.
4. Parties form and run the governments.
5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of the Opposition to the party or a group of coalition parties in power, by voicing different views and criticizing the government for its failures or wrong policies.
6. Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues of importance.
7. Parties function as a useful link between people and the government machinery.