Functions and role of political parties
Parties nominate candidates, campaign, form the government or the opposition, shape public opinion and link people with the government. Without them, elections would be almost impossible.
Functions of political parties
- Nominate candidates for elections.
- Campaign to win support for their candidates.
- Place their aims and programmes before voters in a manifesto.
- The party or group that wins a majority forms the government, then makes and carries out policies.
- Parties in a minority form the opposition and keep a constant check on the government, pressing for good governance.
- Educate people and help shape public opinion.
- Voice people's demands and pass them on to the government.
- Link the people with government institutions, and draw them into political life.
From voters' demands to government
Role of parties in India
Since independence, Indian parties have done these jobs fairly well. They have made representative government possible and successful for decades. They link citizens with governments, and voters with their representatives. They have spread political awareness and political education. When people give them a mandate, they form governments at the Centre and in the States and carry out their programmes. So a competitive multi-party system has strengthened Indian democracy. A democracy needs strong parties that can represent citizens and govern for the public good.
Activity: who governs your State, and who opposes?
- 1Find which party or parties form your State government today. Use a newspaper, the State Assembly website, or ask your family.
- 2Find the party of the Leader of Opposition in your State Assembly.
- 3List five parties that put up candidates in your State's last election.
- 4Record in a table: the party, whether it is in government or opposition, and one policy it says it stands for.
- 5Note one thing the opposition did recently, such as a question, a debate or a protest, to keep the government in check.
Before each election, parties release manifestos and hold campaigns in your town. After it, the winners form the government and the rest sit in the opposition, questioning that government on your behalf.
2 marks: “What is a manifesto? Why do parties publish one?” A manifesto is a document in which a party sets out its policies and programmes. Parties publish it at election time to place their aims before voters and win their support.
3 marks: “Explain any three functions of political parties in a democracy.” They nominate candidates and campaign; the majority forms the government and carries out policies; the minority forms the opposition and checks the government. (Also: shape public opinion, voice demands, link people and government.)
6 marks: “Why does a democracy need political parties? Describe their functions and role in India.” Opening: elections almost impossible without parties; nominate and campaign; manifestos give choices; form the government; form the opposition; educate and shape opinion; voice demands and link people with government; close: a competitive multi-party system has strengthened Indian democracy.
Parties N-C-M-G-O-E-L: Nominate, Campaign, Manifesto, Govern, Oppose, Educate, Link.