question_answer

State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.

Answer:

Basically political parties fill political offices and exercise political powers. Parties do so by performing a series of functions:

(i) Contest Elections: In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates fielded by political parties-parties select their candidates in different ways.

(ii) Put  Forward   Policies  and Programmes: Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them. Each of us may have different opinions and views on what policies are suitable for the society.

Provide base to the Ruling Party

(iii) A party reduces a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions which it supports. A government is expected to base its policies on the line taken by the Ruling party.

(iv) Making Laws: Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally laws are debated and passed in Legislature.

(v) Running Government: Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them ministers to run the government in the way they want.

(vi) Government Machinery and Welfare Schemes: Political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.

(vii) Role of opposition: Those parties that lose elections play the role of opposition by voicing different views and criticising government for its failures or wrong policies. Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government.

(viii) Shape Public Opinion: Political parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country.