What a political party is and why democracy needs it sheet3-mark answer frameWhat is a political party? Describe any four characteristics of a political party.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
- 1 · Define. A political party is an organised group of like-minded people who seek political power by constitutional means.
- 2 · Organised, with common goals. Its members are organised and share common principles and goals on public matters.
- 3 · Seeks power. Its aim is to gain political power through collective effort.
- 4 · Peaceful methods. It uses constitutional and peaceful methods, mainly elections.
- 5 · Policies in power. When in power, it turns its declared aims into government policies.
- 6 · Close in one line. So parties link people's choices to the working of government.
Scoring tip: Start with the definition. Examiners give a mark for it before they count the characteristics.
