Political Parties

Political Party
• Edmund Burke: A Political Party is a body of men united for
promoting, by their joint endeavours, the national interest upon
some political principle in which they agreed.
 Essentials of Political Parties
• People should be organized
• There should be similarity of principles
• Aim of a Political Party should be to attain political power
• A Political Party should use peaceful means for attaining political power
 Basis for the Formation of a Political
Party
• Religion
• Economic
• Racial
• Political Basis
• Psychological and Natural Difference (Conservatives, Liberals,
Extremists, Reactionaries)
 Functions of Political Parties
• To propagate their ideals and policies
• To contest elections
• Party strengthens its organisation
• Parties try to increase their membership
• Encourage electorate through speeches, meetings and processions
 Advantages of Political Parties
• Political Parties are according to Human Nature
• Political Parties concentrate the attention of voters on big problems
• Political Parties make the working of Democracy possible
• Political Parties create co-operation between executive and legislature
• Opposition Parties check the absolutism of the government
• Political Parties spread education amongst the people
 Advantages of Political Parties (Contd.)
• Opposition Parties point out the shortcomings in the laws
• Parties make the working of the constitution and the government flexible
• Parties act as a link between the people and government
• Political Parties pilot reforms
• Formation of Government easier.
 Demerits of Political Parties
• National Interests are harmed by the selfish propaganda of the parties
• Party system creates factionalism
• Political Parties affect individuality
• Wrong education to the people
• Parties spread corruption
• Dictatorship of the ruling Party
• Unstable government in multi party system
• The country is deprived of the services of talented persons owing to the party system
 Bi-Party System

• Only 2 major parties and the rest of the Parties are less important
• USA
• Britain
 Merits of Bi-Party system
• Government becomes more stable
• Direct Election of the Government
• Formation of Government Easier
• Continuity of Policy
• Responsibility for the failure and shortcomings of the Government can be easily
located
• Constructive Criticism
• Commanding Position of the Head of the Government
 Disadvantages of Bi-Party System
• Dictatorship of the Cabinet
• Limited Choice before the Voters
• The Prestige of the Legislature is lowered
• Dictatorship of the Majority Party
• Divides the nation into two irreconcilable camps
• All shades of opinion are not represented in the Legislature
 Multi Party System: Merits
• Nation not divided into two camps
• Parliament not a mere puppet
• All shades of opinion are reflected in the House
• Wider Choice before the Electorate
• In this the chances of Cabinet dictatorship are minimised
• The workers are more free in this system
 Multi Party System - Demerits
• Weak Government
• Indefiniteness of Policy
• No Long term Planning
• Weak Position of the Head of the Government
• Lack of administrative efficiency
• Trading in votes and formation of Government
 One Party System : Merits
• Stability and Progress of the country
• Formation and execution of Long term planning is possible
• Economic Progress
• Administration becomes efficient
• Unity and Discipline in the Country
• Time not wasted in Unnecessary Criticism and Propaganda
 One Party System: Demerits
• No freedom of Expression
• Democracy is eroded and Dictatorship emerges
• No regard for divergent views
• Government absolute and Administration irresponsible
• Development of the personality is hindered because social freedoms are
crushed
• Adoption of Policy of War and victory