Political Parties

What a political party is and does, one-party, two-party and multiparty systems, how parties are recognised, the challenges they face and reforms.

Key ideas

• A political party is a group that contests elections and seeks power on agreed policies; it has leaders, active members and followers.
• Parties contest elections, put forward policies, make laws, form and run governments, act as the opposition and shape public opinion.
• Without parties every candidate would be independent, no one would answer for policies, and government would be unstable.
• In two-party systems, like the USA and the UK, power usually alternates between two main parties; in multiparty systems, like India’s, coalitions often form.
• The Election Commission registers parties and recognises some as State or national parties, giving each a reserved symbol.
• Challenges include weak internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, and too little meaningful choice.
• Reforms include the anti-defection law, candidates’ affidavits on property and criminal cases, and the Election Commission’s orders on organisational elections and tax returns.

Remember

Watch out

• Checking only the vote share for recognition: the seat rule must be met too.
• Mixing up the State-party rule with the national-party rule.
• Thinking parties matter only at election time: they also run governments, oppose and shape opinion.

Worked example