Party system is an essential elements of democratic set up. Modern Democracy is the representative democracy and a representative government cannot work without political parties. These days candidates are sponsored by the parties, voters vote for the party not for the individual candidates, governments are formed by the parties. Thus political parties are essential in a democratic setup.
MacIver has rightly said that without political parties there can be no unified statement of principles, no orderly evolution of policy, no regular resort to the constitutional device of parliamentary elections, nor, of course any of the recognised institutions by means of which a party seeks to gain or to maintain power. Thus party system is the base of the democratic set up these days.
But it looks strange to point out that party system was unknown about 200 years ago. Parties as such were considered undesirable. Founding fathers of the American Constitution did not favour party system and have no mention of parties in the constitution. Party system emerged with the democracy. As the democratic government became more and more popular the party system became stronger. Party system developed with the development of parliamentary system of government and today it dominates the whole political field.
What is Political Party
Ordinarily speaking a political party is a group of persons, operating in an organised way to secure the control of the government, so that it may put into practice its own policies and programmes. Various scholars have defined political parties as under :
According to Gilchrist, “A political party is an organised group of citizens who profess to share the same political views, and who by acting as a political unit, try to control the government.”
Gettel says, “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.”
Edmund Burke considers political party, “as a body of men united for promoting by joint endeavours the national interests, upon some particular principles in which they are all agreed.”
Leacock points out, “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 opinion on public questions and by exercising their voting power towards a common end, seek to obtain control of the government.”
Elements of political party
On the basis of various definitions of political parties we come to know of the following elements or features of political parties :
Group of Like-minded Persons : Political party is a body of such persons who have or profess to have the same views on public matters faced by the society. They should be in agreement on fundamental principles. They may differ on some problem but on principles, they must share common opinion. If they have divergent views on problems or public matters they cannot sit together and cannot form group.
Organization : Members of a political party must be organised. They should operate as a group not as individuals. Every political party has its organisation, its constitution, its rules and regulations which have to be obeyed by the members. A loose group of people cannot form a political party. Only an organised group or body of persons can act in an effective manner.
Aim of the Party should be to Control the Government : Every political party has its own views on public issues, on problems of the society and its own programmes to solve those problems. Thus the aim of every party is to obtain control of the government so that it may put its policies and programmes into operation. A party puts before the people what it would do if voted to power, and if it is voted to power, it runs the administration accordingly. Thus aim of every party is to control government.
Faith in Constitutional Means : A party tries to obtain control of the government by peaceful and constitutional means, by persuading the voters to vote for its candidates and electing them in majority. They try to get the support of maximum number of people through their voting right. A political party in strict sense of the word does not resort to violent means. It does not want to control the government by force The party wants to come to power through elections.
Fulfillment of National Interests: Every party should have its policies and programmes for the fulfillment of national interests. They party should endeavour to promote common good. No party can be called a political party in true sense if it has been formed to promote the interests of a particular group or caste or religion. Party has to frame its principles to realise national interests.
Political Party should have Economic and Political Basis : A political party should be based upon political and economic basis. No party should be formed on the basis of caste, religion, region or language. Such a party cannot endeavour for the good of the nation. A party should have its principles based on questions like those of private property, right to work, nationalisation or free trade, foreign relations, presidential system or parliamentary system, powers of panchayats and nagarpalikas.
Functions of Political Parties
Today political parties are so important that the democratic government cannot work without them. Political parties dominate not only in the political field but have started influencing the social life also. Main functions of the political parties as under :
Formation of their policies and programmes
The first function of political party is to form its own policies and programmes for the solution of the problems faced by the state and the society. It should form and propagate those principles in which it has faith and which it, if voted to power, wants to put into operation. It is on the basis of these principles that the people would feel attracted to its membership and the voters would feel inclined to vote for its candidates. The party has to find out the current problems—political, economic and social, and to point out how it would solve them if it is entrusted with political power. The problems go on changing, old are solved and new ones take birth. Thus the functions of the political party never ends.
Formation of Public opinion
Political parties give wide publicity to their own principles, policies and programmes over the current public issues and try to form public opinion in their favour. They criticise the policies and programmes of ruling party and those of other parties also for this purpose. For this they adopt all techniques like organising public meetings, distribution of pamphlets, and hand-bills, pasting of posters, articles and interviews in the print and electronic media, processions and demonstrations and their own literature. If the public opinion is favourable the party is sure to obtain control over the government.
Election manifesto
On the eve of the general elections every political party issues its election manifesto to attract the voters. It is a theoretical and ideological document telling the voters, how it would run the government, if it is voted to power. The voters can judge the performance of the ruling party on the basis of election manifesto it had issued before the election. It touches almost all political, economic and social problems of the society.
To sponsor candidates
Aim of every political party is to obtain control over the government through voting right. For this purpose every party sponsors its candidates for state legislative assemblies and parliament. Every party tries to field the best possible candidate for each constituency, a candidate who has all possibilities of winning the election. Almost all activists of the party are allotted party ticket to contest election from one constituency or the other. If the party’s candidates are elected with majority in the legislature, it obtains control over the government.
Election campaign
Political parties organise their election campaigns to attract voters and capture votes. Party’s campaign is held on large scale. It is spread to the whole state or to the whole nation as the case may be whereas a candidate organises his election campaign in his own constituency. Party leaders address public meetings in as many constituencies as possible. Political parties also help their candidates with funds and material in contesting election. Parties adopt all techniques of election campaign like processions and rallies, posters, handbills and pamphlets, radio, T.V. and video cassettes, door to door canvassing and winning over the opinion of leaders.
To form government
A political party should always be ready to form government whenever it gets a chance. In parliamentary democracy the party that is elected with majority is invited to form the ministry. At this time the party runs the government according to its policies and programmes and its makes laws or changes laws accordingly. It fulfils the promises it had made to the voters at the time of elections. If a party after being elected with majority is unable to form the government or cannot run the administration efficiently and effectively, the voters lose faith in it and it cannot hope of getting re-elected with majority. Thus it is also a major function for the party.
To act as opposition party
In elections only one party can be elected with majority. As such all the parties cannot obtain control of the government. All parties except one who is elected with majority have to act as opposition parties. Thus a party if not elected with majority has as its primary functions to keep a watch on the activities of the ruling party and criticise it when the government tries to do something against the interests of the nation, or tries to misuse power. Thus by acting as a constructive opposition party, it acts as a watch dog of rights of the people and of democracy. If the opposition party is strong and effective, it does not let the ruling party exceed its limits.
Link between the people and the government
Political parties also maintain a link between the government and the masses. What the government has done for the people, this is pointed out by the ruling party. And the opposition parties point out the weakness of the government. Requirements of the people and their views over the working of the government are expressed by the parties in legislatures, public meetings and press.
To give political education to the people
Political parties also give political education to the people. They express their views on the public issues and also explain how they would like to solve them. Parties functions throughout the year through demonstrations, rallies, distribution of political literature and expressing their views through newspapers and T.V. channels. During elections their activities arouse interests of the masses in political affairs. During sessions of the legislatures also they give ample knowledge to the people on public issues. Thus political parties are always busy in their activities and make people politically aware.
To maintain link between the executive and legislature
Parliamentary system requires close relation between the legislature and the executive. This relation is established due to party system. Party system brings stability in the ministry. In a Presidential system of government, link between the executive and the legislature is maintained through the party system otherwise both are independent of one another. Political parties make it possible for the two to act in coordination and making of good laws also becomes possible.
Coordination between the centre and the state
In a federal state, the central government and the units enjoy autonomous powers and functions independently. Political parties bring coordination between the two and when the same party is in power in the centre and the state, the central government functions strongly and the possibility of a conflict between the two is minimised. In such a situation the central government looks after the national interests in a better way.
Political and social reforms
Political parties focus their attention towards the political and social evils rampant in the society. They draw attention of the people towards political corruption and initiate social and political reforms. Political parties perform this function to form public opinion in its favour and capture votes in the elections.
There is a long list of the functions performed by the political parties these days. It is a fact that democratic government cannot work without political parties. All political activities would come to a standstill if the political parties are withdrawn from the political field. Even the casting of vote is not possible without the cooperation of political parties. This is the age of party system.
Merits of party system
Today we cannot do without parties. They have become an integral part of the political life of the people. Merits of party system are given below :
Political Parties are Essential in a Democratic Setup : No democratic setup can work without political parties. They help the voters in making decision to whom they should vote. They sponsor candidates for election. They conduct all election campaigns and try to get their candidates elected in maximum number. They form the ministry and run the government. They criticise the government and do not let it misuse its power. They formulate and express public opinion according to which the government is run in a democracy. Thus parties are very essential for a democratic setup.
They give Political Education : Political parties, through their activities educate the people politically. They give maximum political education. They are busy expressing their views on questions of public importance and activities of the government throughout the year. They go on supporting or criticising the policies and programmes of the government. They put before the people their own policies and programmes. During the elections their campaign activities are so increased that even the indifferent persons cannot help and they also start thinking about problems of the society and their possible solutions. The parties make masses politically aware.
Helpful in Forming Government: A parliamentary system is possible only with the help of party system. If all the representatives were to act independently and there are no organised and disciplined political parties, it would become difficult to invite a person to head the ministry. Because of party system the head of the state invites the leader of the majority party to form the ministry. The leader also finds it easy to select his ministers from his own party. If there were no party system, the Prime Minister designate would have had no means to select his colleagues. Thus party system is helpful in forming the government.
Party Discipline makes the Government Stable : Political parties bring stability in the government, particularly in the parliamentary system. Members of the party remain united and act as unit. They have to follow the decisions taken by the party leaders even if they do not like a particular decision. Once a party is elected with majority, it is likely to remain in office till the next elections. Members of the ruling party are bound to support the policies and programmes of the ministry. They government, because of party system, can also work in an organised and planned manner.
Criticism of the Government : Democracy is a government by criticism because the people have a right to criticise the government and express freely what they think about it. In a parliamentary system there is a recognised opposition whose main duty is to point out the weaknesses of the government and criticise it whenever it tries to misuse its power. If the ruling party tries to encroach upon the rights and liberties of the people, or tries to make laws for its own benefit, or misuses its executive authority the opposition parties criticise it and put a check on the administration.
Coordination between the Executive and Legislature : Good laws are possible only when Executive and Legislature work in coordination and this is best achieved through party system. In a Presidential system executive ministers do not take part in the proceedings of the legislature and both the executive and legislature are independent of one another. Under this system the parties bring coordination between the two and the ministers get the legislation of their choice passed with the help of legislators of their party. Political parties do not let a deadlock take place between the Executive and the Legislature and help in making good laws.
Link between the People and the Government : Political parties act as a link between the people and the government. Democracy is a government which works according to the will of the people. The will of the people is known through public opinion. It is the parties which bring to the knowledge of the government the requirements of the people, their problems and view point and try to get them solved. They also bring to the notice of the people the policies and programmes of the government and what the government has done for the welfare of the people. Any party that does not maintain link with the people cannot remain popular.
Change in the Government : Because of political parties, the people can change the government according to their will. Most of the candidates in the elections are party candidates and a party elected with majority establishes its hold on the government. If the people do not like the working of the ruling party, they can vote against it and bring about the desired change in the government in a peaceful way. Whenever the ruling party feels that it is losing popularity, it changes its leader and makes a change in the ministry. When the ministry loses its majority support in the legislature, it resigns and the opposition leader is invited to form the government. This is possible only due to party system.
Helpful in Political and Social Reforms : Political parties, to gain public opinion also try to expose the social evils and political corruption prevailing in the society. They initiate reforms to eradicate those evils. Ruling party makes laws to remove these evils and through propagation makes the people aware of social evils. Thus these days all political parties are found active in initiating social and political reforms.
Financial Help in Elections : Elections are very expensive and beyond the reach of poor citizens. But political parties make it possible for the poor also to contest elections. Active members of the party who are very popular and have all chances of wining elections, but have no money to spend on elections, are helped by the party with finances. Party cannot afford to ignore such members who have devoted their full time for party work.
Demerits of party system
Party system has many weaknesses also. Its main defects are given below:
It Curtails Individual Liberty : Party system is harmful for individual liberty. Members of the party cannot act according to their will or according to their independent thinking. They have to judge every problem and its solution from their party’s view point and express their views accordingly. Inside the legislature and outside, they have to follow the dictates of the party. Voting over the legislation in the legislature is done on party basis, and the outcome of voting is known in advance in most of the cases. Thus a member loses his individuality under party system.
Harmful for National Interests : Party system is harmful for the interests of the nation. It has been seen that every party cares for its own advancement, and nobody cares for national interests. Every party expresses its views on any problems in such a way that it may attract more and more voters, come what may to the interests of the society. Ruling party tries to make such laws that would increase its chances of re-election with majority. Parties do not hesitate in making adjustments for their own political ends. National interests thus remain ignored.
Dictatorship of the Party : Party system has changed democracy into party dictatorship. Political parties enforce strict discipline and no member can dare to go against the decision of his party. In India, because of anti-defection law, a legislator, if he acts against the directive of the party is expelled from the party and also from the membership of the legislature. Due to strict party discipline, the majority party is sure of its majority up to next election, and establishes its dictatorship. No member of the ruling party can criticise the working of the ministry and has to support it even if he does not like it. The ruling party with solid support at its back does not care much for the opposition parties.
Encourage Political Corruption : Political parties resort to all sorts of techniques, good or bad for getting their candidates elected. False propaganda is undertaken, votes are purchased, bogus voters are pressed into polling booths, political favours are bestowed upon their own men by the ruling parties. Parties want to capture the government by fair means or foul and encourage political corruption.
Dangerous for National Unity : Political parties are a danger to the national unity. They divide the society into many hostile groups, each fighting for its own advantages. They encourage caste feelings, religious sentiments, regional divisions and linguistic differences, for achieving their own aims of getting more and more votes. These acts of the political parties give a severe blow to the national unity.
Lower the Moral Standard of the People : The political parties indulge in corrupt practices, false propaganda, use money power for attracting more and more votes. They encourage horse-trading and party splits just to maintain their ruling position or to oust the ruling party. These actions have a bad influence over the people and the moral standard of the masses is lowered.
Criticism for the Sake of Criticism : Political parties resort to meaningless criticism. The opposition parties criticise the working of the government even when it should be appreciated. They think that they are only to criticise every action of the government. When the ruling party introduces a bill which is totally for the benefit of the people, the opposition would find fault with it also. Instead of constructive criticism, many times the opposition parties resort to destructive criticism. A destructive criticism is harmful to the nation.
Able Persons are Ignored : Able and wise persons do not want to become the members of the political parties. Such persons do not want to contest elections, they cannot and do not resort to corrupt practices to win elections, they do not want to indulge in horse trading for being included in the cabinet. Such persons become unfit for politics, for being party leaders, and staunch supporters of the parties. But such persons can be very useful for the nation. Thus the nation remains deprived of the services of able, intelligent and wise persons.
Encouragement to Communalism : It has been seen that political parties encourage communalism. This is done by the opportunist parties which are generally in large number. They try to capture votes by generating feelings on caste and religious basis. Many parties have religion as their base. Such parties can never be conducive to the national unity and integrity of the state.
Negative Role during Emergency: Many political parties play negative role during emergency. Instead of strengthening the hands of the government to effectively tackle the emergency, they do not hesitate to criticise the activities of the government. This weakens the hands of the government and encourages anti-national forces. At this critical moment also they expect their members to be loyal to the party.
Emergency can be tackled if all the people are united and opportunist parties do not let it happen.
Laws to Attract the Voters : Ruling party tries to make such laws which look attractive to people, but may not be useful or may not be in the interests of the people. Meaningless or even harmful laws are made to please the voters. Laws should be for the good of the society as a whole but the ruling party tries to make such laws which appear to be promoting the welfare of the people, but are not so actually.
Party system has disadvantages and advantages both. But we cannot abolish party system. Parties have come to stay. They are essential for a democratic setup. Democracy cannot work without them. Public opinion cannot be changed into law without party system. They are a check on the Dictatorship and give opportunity to the people to the rule according to their will.
Classification of party system
There are many criteria on which the political parties and party systems are classified. These criteria or basis of classification are given below :
- On the basis of number of parties dominating the political field, the party systems can be of three types—One-party system, Two-party system and Multi-party system.
- On the basis of area of influence of the parties, they can be of three types—national party, regional party and local party.
- On the basis of structure and characteristic of the parties, they can be of three types—charismatic leader oriented party, ideology-oriented party and interest-oriented party.
- On the basis of ideology difference, political parties can be of three—leftist party, rightist party and centrist party. Most common classification of party system is as under :
One-party system : One-party system is that where there is only one political party in the political scene and no their party is allowed to exist. The people are not allowed the freedom to criticise the party and to form any other party. Such a system exists in China. It existed in some more communistic states, but in 1989 the people revolted against the dominance of one-party system and have changed it.
Two-party system : Two-party system is that where there are only two major or dominant political parties. Sometimes one party gets the majority and sometimes the other party is elected with majority. There can be some other parties also, but they are very small and have little or no influence over the political scene. No party other than the two dominant parties has the chance of getting elected with majority and form government. In England we find this system. Two major parties in England are the Conservative Party and Labour Party. In America also we see two-party system. Republicans and Democrates are the two main political factions there.
Multi-party system : Where there are more than two political parties and no single party is elected with majority it is called multi-party system. In a parliamentary democracy with multi-party system, always a coalition ministry consisting of two or more than two parties is formed. France had this system. Now it can be said that India also has multi-party system. In 1989 no single party obtained majority in Lok Sabha, and ministry had been formed with the support of other parties. In the elections of 1996 and 1998 also, no single party could get clear majority in Lok Sabha. This trend was also reflected in 2004 General elections.
