The Functions of Political Parties

Political parties perform a vital task in government. They convey people together to attain control of the govt., develop policies favorable to their interests or the groups that support them, and organize and persuade voters to elect their candidates to office. Although substantially involved within the operation of the presidency at the least level, political parties don’t seem to be the government. Itself, and also the Constitution makes no mention of them.

The basic purpose of political parties is to nominate candidates for posts and to induce as many of them elected as possible. Once elected, these officials try and achieve the goals of their party through legislation and program initiatives. Although many folks don’t think about it in this manner, registering as a Democrat or Republican makes them members of an organization. Political parties want as many folks involved as possible. Most members take a reasonably passive role, simply voting for their party’s candidates at election time. Some become more active and work as officials within the party or volunteer to influence people to vote. The foremost ambitious members may commit to running office themselves.

Representing groups of interests
In turn, elected officials must not only reflect the concerns of their own party but must also attempt to attract support from people in their districts or states who belong to the opposite party. They’ll attract this support by supporting bipartisan issues (matters of concern that cross party lines) and nonpartisan issues (matters that don’t have anything to try to do with party allegiance).

Political parties represent groups additionally as individuals. These interest groups have special concerns. they will represent the interests of farm workers, urban African Americans, small business operators, particular industries, or teachers — any similar individuals who cooperate with specific a selected agenda.

Simplifying choices
The two main political parties within the U.S. appeal to as many various groups as possible. They are doing so by stating their goals in a very general way so voters are interested in a broad philosophy without necessarily specializing in every specific issue. The choice to using the final philosophies of the political parties to delineate candidates is to vote for people who supported just their own one-or two-issue programs.

Making policy
Political parties aren’t policymaking organizations in themselves. They certainly take positions on important policy questions, especially to supply alternatives to the position of whichever party is in power. When in power, a celebration attempts to place its philosophy into practice through legislation. If a candidate wins office by an oversized majority, it’s going to mean that the voters have given him or her a mandate to hold out the program outlined within the campaign. Because President Clinton didn’t win a majority of the popular choose both 1992 and 1996, few considered his victories a mandate for any specific policy or ideology. President George W. Bush also entered the office without a transparent mandate, because his opponent, Al Gore, won more votes (and might need to be won the body if not for irregularities, like confusing ballots, in Florida).