In this article you will learn about What are the Characteristics of a Political Party.
What are the Characteristics of a Political Party
A Political Party, which is democratically constituted, has five other important characteristics.
First, within the broad spectrum of ideological unity, it tolerates, permits and accepts the existence or internal groups as active parts of the whole.
Secondly, all democratic political parties accept each other as competing parties in the struggle for power. Together they constitute the party system.
Thirdly, every political party of a democratic state plays its role in politics as mandated by the people in elections.
Fourthly, each political party stands committed to uphold the national interests and the democratic system. It is because of this feature that a democratic party system works as a shared field of activity.
Finally, a democratic party has a democratic structure and its functions in a democratic way. It is democratic in its organisation and behaviour.
In a totalitarian/authoritarian state, the ruling party is the instrument for the exercise of power by the authoritarian or totalitarian ruler or group of rulers. While the political parties operating in liberal democratic political systems like the Indian, American and British political systems are democratic, the Communist Party of China is an undemocratic centralised single party exercising all powers in the Chinese political system. It is a monolithic top heavy party with a centralised authority system.
To sum up, we can say that a political party is a distinct (separate) group (partnership) of the people, actively and peacefully participating in the political process for the promotion of national interests. In particular, political parties are the key players of the election system.
Basis of Organisation of Political Party
The origin and evolution of political parties is a universal phenomenon. In almost every society, political parties have been playing their proper roles in their political systems. In some political systems several political parties are at work, whereas in others only two or two main and some smaller political parties are at work. The questions that need answers are :
- Why and how political parties are born or organised in a society ?,
- What are the bases of their organisations ?
In each society several different factors provide the basis for the organisation of political parties. We can study these factors/bases by grouping them in four categories :
- Psychological Basis : Human nature is the first and foremost basis which gives birth to at least two types of political parties – conservative parties and liberal parties. Some people are by nature conservative. They never go for change but accept the change when it comes. Such people often get organised into a political party – the conservative party. As against these, there are others who are by nature liberal, pro-changer and reformists. They also organise themselves as liberals or progressives or even radicalists i.e. a Liberal Party.
- Historical Basis : In most societies, the emergence of political parties has been the result of the evolution of their political system from monarchical to democratic systems. The gradual emergence of the right to vote and consequently of the modern electorate, paved the way for the emergence of political parties as the agencies attempted to capture power through the organised support of the electorate. The election system forced these agencies to organise themselves, to field their respective candidates in elections, and to organise election campaigns in favour of their candidates. Political parties or organisations as such got transformed into separate politics parties as part of the process of meeting the necessities and opportunities created by historical evolution. These became mass organisations and started performing the functions of political socialisation, recruitment and representation. These came forward to develop institutions of their own and to manage their affairs. Thus, the march of history naturally produces some political parties.
- Socio-Economic Basis : Religion, race, caste, region, economic interests and needs are also bases for the organisation of political parties. These are collectively referred to as the socio-economic basis. Political groups/parties in several states are based on religious or racial affinities among the people. Political parties like the Christian Democrats, the Akali Dal, the Muslim League and some other stand organised on religious or communal basis. Economic interests and conflict of economic interests have been a popular and realistic basis for the formation of political parties. The different economic interests of the people, needs for ownership of means of production, economic equality, the desire for equitable distribution of wealth and resources, employment, and socio-economic security act as the determinants of political parties.
- Ideological Basis : 20th century was the age of ideologies. Marxism, Communism, Socialism, Guild Socialism, Syndicalism, Fabianism, Fascism, Nazism, Democratic Socialism, Capitalism, Liberalism, Welfarism, and some others emerged as popular ideologies. These served as a basis for the organisation of several political parties. In particular, Communism, Liberalism and Democratic Socialism emerged as popular ideologies, which provided the basis for the formation of several political parties in almost every state.
This article on What are the Characteristics of a Political Party is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.