Political Parties

Definition of Political Parties:

Different thinkers have defined political party in different ways. The following are some of the important definitions of political party advanced by eminent sociologist and political scientists:-

According to MacIver, “A political party is an association organized in support of some principle or policy which by constitutional means it endeavors to make the determinant of government.”

Characteristics:

1.  Is an association.
2. Must have a principle or policy.
3. Determinant of government.

According to Ian Robertson, “Political parties are collectivists of people organized for the specific purpose of joining legitimate control of government.”

Characteristics:

1. Collectivist of people.
2. Specific purpose.
3. Joining legitimate control of government.

Gattel said that “A political party consists of group of citizens more or less organized who act as a political unit and who, by the use of their voting power aim to control the government and carry out their general policies.”

Characteristics:

1. Group of citizens.
2. Use the voting power

Essential of Political Parties/ Why Political Parties are Needed?

1. A group of people to constitute a political party, must be organized for a political purpose.
2. There should be similarity of principles helping to unite people.
3. The political parties should have the main aim of attaining political power.
4. The parties should use peaceful and legitimate means for attaining political power.
5. It becomes necessary for a political party to pronounce its main principles in public and make equally known to the electorate its plans, programs and the course of action which it is going to follow.
6. Political parties are expected to protect and promote the national interests.

Main Functions:

Political parties are expected to perform two main functions. They are the following:

1. Political parties have the basic task of propagating their ideals, policies and programs.
2. The second main task is to contest and win elections.

The political parties normally follow four main ways for attaining success in their attempt at obtaining political power.

• Every political party strengthens its organization by holding regular meeting, rallies, training camps, orientation courses for the workers, etc.
• Every political parties tries its level best to increase its membership.
• Political parties encourage the electorate and supporters through speeches, programs and other means.
• Political parties also impart political education to the voters.

Multiparty System:

Multiparty system refers to a political system in which more than two political parties are functioning. Example 14 party and 18 party alliance in Bangladesh.

Advantages of Multiparty System:

1. It provides an opportunity for all shades of opinion to be reflected in the legislative house.
2. This system does not make the parliament to become a puppet in the hands of the cabinet. 
3. It provides little or no opportunity for the cabinet to become dictatorial in its attitude and functioning.

Demerits of Multiple Party Systems:

1. Since multiple party system leads to the establishment of coalition government; it remains very weak and ineffective. 
2. It is said the position of the Prime Minister in a coalition government is very weak.
3. Since the governments are subject to frequent changes, it is difficult to maintain the continuity in policies. Further, indefiniteness characteristics the governmental policies. 
4. In this system there is a lack of administrative efficiency, because the governments change very often.
5. This system encourages political defections and trading in votes. Hence it undermines the political morality.