4.1.2. Functions

1. Parties contest elections. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties. Parties select their candidates in different ways. In some countries, such as the USA, members and supporters of a party choose its candidates. Now more and more countries are following this method. In other countries like India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.

Political parties play a crucial role in democracies by organizing elections. They provide the candidates who run for public office. In some countries, like the USA, party members vote to select their candidates, ensuring that candidates reflect the desires of the party base. In others, like India, the party leaders choose candidates. This process helps to streamline candidate selection and ensures that elected representatives are aligned with the party's goals.

Think of a sports team selecting players for a game. The coach (like the party leaders) decides which players will be best for the team to win based on their skills (like policies). Players who fit well with the coach's game strategy (the party's agenda) are selected to play in the match (the election).

2. 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 society. But no government can handle such a large variety of views. In a democracy, a large number of similar opinions have to be grouped together to provide a direction in which policies can be formulated by the governments. This is what the parties do.

Political parties gather and simplify a wide range of opinions to form coherent policy proposals. Instead of every individual having to argue for their specific beliefs, parties create platforms that reflect shared values and ideas. This helps government to function effectively, as it allows them to execute policies that represent a significant portion of the public's views instead of trying to please everyone individually.

Imagine a large group of friends trying to decide on a movie to watch. If everyone suggested different films without discussing, they would never agree. Instead, one person might suggest popular choices, like action or comedy, which their group enjoys, helping everyone come to a consensus more easily.

3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally, laws are debated and passed in the legislature. But since most of the members belong to a party, they go by the direction of the party leadership, irrespective of their personal opinions.

Political parties significantly influence how laws are created and passed in a country. In legislatures, the majority of representatives belong to parties. As a result, they often follow the direction of party leadership rather than making entirely independent decisions. This party-based approach helps to maintain cohesion and streamline decision-making but can also lead to issues if party decisions do not align with the electorate's views.

Think of a team in a group project at school. If one person strongly believes in a specific strategy, the team might follow their lead to make swift progress, even if not everyone immediately agrees. This can be efficient but might overlook diverse ideas from the rest of the team.

4. Parties form and run governments. The big policy decisions are taken by the political executive that comes from the political parties. Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them ministers to run the government in the way they want.

Political parties are essential for the formation and functioning of governments. After elections, the party with the majority forms the government and makes key decisions about policies and administration. The party selects its leaders, who are trained and assigned as ministers to manage various government functions in line with party goals.

Consider a school where a student council is elected. The council members are chosen to represent their class's interests and help organize school events. The president leads the council and makes decisions influenced by the council's collective goals, demonstrating how parties build and manage leadership in larger scenarios.

5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power, by voicing different views and criticising government for its failures or wrong policies. Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government.

In a democracy, parties that do not win elections serve the crucial function of opposition. They hold the ruling party accountable by questioning policies, highlighting failures, and voicing alternative viewpoints. This creates a balance of power and allows citizens to see different perspectives on governance.

Think of a debate where one side argues against a topic while the other supports it. The opposing side’s arguments lead to deeper discussion and help the audience understand the broader implications of an issue, similar to how opposition parties challenge the ruling government to clarify and justify their policies.

6. Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country. Many of the pressure groups are extensions of political parties among different sections of society.

Political parties play a pivotal role in shaping the opinions and beliefs of the public. They do this through campaigning, media engagement, and organizing rallies to raise awareness on specific issues. The vast network of party members helps ensure that different societal concerns are brought to light and addressed.

Consider a local community trying to raise awareness about pollution in the area. A group might form to hold events, distribute flyers, and connect with local leaders to ensure the issue gains attention. This mirrors how political parties mobilize community efforts to influence public discourse.

7. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. For an ordinary citizen, it is easy to approach a local party leader than a government officer.

Political parties serve as a bridge between citizens and government services. They help citizens access various welfare schemes and government machinery, often making it easier for individuals to address their needs through local party leaders rather than bureaucratic hurdles with government officials.

Think of a student who wants to join a club at school. They may find it easier to relate to an older student from the club rather than going directly to a teacher for approval. This relationship makes navigating the school system more approachable, much like how political leaders can simplify engagement with government services.

This list of functions in a sense answers the question asked above: we need political parties because they perform all these functions. But we still need to ask why modern democracies cannot exist without political parties.

Political parties serve critical roles in democracies, performing essential functions that allow government systems to operate smoothly. They structure electoral processes, form governments, and represent citizens' interests and voices. Without parties, it would be chaotic and inefficient for citizens to organize and express their preferences in governance.

Consider a busy marketplace without stalls. If every vendor sold products randomly without organization, it would be confusing for customers to find what they need. Political parties act as stalls in the democratic marketplace, offering structured options from which citizens can choose.

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