Introduction
A political party is formed when a group of people with common ideas of how a country should be governed come together. Political parties forward their candidates to vie for certain political offices and members of the parties are urged to vote for the party candidate (Schattschneider 1942).
Political parties also engage in enlightenment of the people, mainly about political issues. Parties also mobilize the masses to demonstrate mainly for political reasons like pressurizing a tyrant leader to step down or against police extrajudicial killings (Mair, Muller, & Plasser 2004). Political parties also try to influence the proceedings in parliament by securing a majority of seats which in turn influence the voting pattern in parliament.
Systems of Party Formation
Many political parties are guided by the formulated party policies contained in the particular party manifesto. They contain paradigms like ‘compulsory and free education for all’. Many parties try to formulate new laws or amend the existing ones so as to have better control of the country’s affairs.
The system of government influences the formation of political parties. Official political parties do not exist in a non partisan system and office holders are chosen on merit. In one party system only one political party is allowed to participate in elections and effective power. Small parties may exist at some level but these parties are legally required to acknowledge, abide and accept the leadership of the main dominant party. One party system tends to favour tyranny and dictatorship (Patomaki & Ulvila 2007).
Another system is that of the dominant party system. Opposition parties are accommodated legally in a democratic manner but they have chance of capturing power. These parties have a close, deep and tight connection with the masses and in many cases they are credited for one or a number of landmark changes. A classical example is the South African case where the dominant party is praised for fighting social segregation and apartheid.
The majority of the population follows it from those historical backgrounds. Another system is that of two party systems, this exists where two parties dominate the politics of a nation at times alternating terms of office. Political success outside the two parties is impossible. Multi party system is the system that does not have a dominant party and more than two parties can be represented in public offices through elections. This system result in coalitions as no single party garners a majority in an election most of the time.
Parties’ Identity and Funding
Parties though having their own policies are supposed to abide by the constitution of the country in context. Citizens, who have the voting power, are sometimes required to register as active members of a political party. This is sometimes demonstrated by issuing of membership cards.
Some parties have their designated colours and symbols which at times are printed on t-shirts and caps. Others use gestures like showing of two fingers as a sign of the party. Political parties are in many cases funded by the contributions of individual members and corporations while others are funded by international organizations that have common ideologies or stand to gain most from the party’s activities.
Conclusion
Political parties are important in the formation of any government. Opposition parties are important in regulating the ruling party keeping it in check and preventing tyranny. Parties have also ousted undesired governments and liberating people from suffering brought about by some tyrants. Parties provide a popular channel for the people to elect their desired office holders (Ingle 2008).
Reference List
Ingle, S. 2008. The British Party System: an introduction. Abingdon, Routledge.
Mair, P., Muller, C., & Plasser, F, eds.2004. Political Parties and Electoral Change: Party Responses to Electoral Markets. London, Sage Publications Ltd.
Patomaki, S., & Ulvila, M.2007. Global Political Parties. Helsinki, Zed Books.
Schattschneider, E.1942. Party Government: American Government in Action. New York, Transaction Publisher.