You follow the news, check the polls, and have opinions on the issues. But have you ever stopped to think about the role of political parties? These organizations are a major force in modern democracies, but what do they actually do? In this article, we’ll explore the functions of political parties and why they matter, from nominating candidates to crafting platforms. We’ll also look at how parties mobilize voters and influence governance. Understanding parties is key to making sense of the political process. Stick around as we unpack the inner workings of these pivotal players in democracy.
What Are Political Parties?
Political parties are organized groups of people who share similar political beliefs and values. They work together to influence government policy and shape laws. In democratic societies, political parties compete in elections at local, state, and national levels.
Overview of Political Parties in Nigeria
Political parties are integral to any democratic system of government. In Nigeria, there are currently over 90 registered political parties. The two dominant parties are the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The PDP is one of the oldest political parties in Nigeria, formed in 1998. It held power at the federal level from 1999 to 2015. The PDP promotes capitalism, economic liberalization, and privatization. It is seen as more centrist and status quo. The PDP draws support from Christian southerners and ethnic minorities.
The All Progressives Congress (APC)
The APC is the current ruling party in Nigeria. Formed in 2013, the APC defeated the PDP in the 2015 elections. The APC is considered more left-leaning, promoting greater government intervention in the economy. It is dominated by northern Muslims and has stronger support in northern states. The APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the current president of Nigeria.
In summary, the two dominant political parties in Nigeria represent different regional, ethnic, and religious interests. Competition between these parties has strengthened Nigeria’s democratic transition but also intensified ethnic and religious divisions. More work is still needed to build a truly national party system that bridges Nigeria’s political fault lines.
Types of Political Party
Political parties aim to grab power and influence government policies. There are several types of political parties, including the following.
Ideological Party
Ideological parties represent a particular ideology or vision, like socialism, liberalism, or conservatism. They promote an ideological agenda and vision for society.
Single-issue Party
Single-issue parties that focus on one specific issue, like the environment or animal rights. They want to advance their cause and influence policy on that issue. The Green Party is an example.
Ethnic or Regional Party
Ethnic or regional parties represent the interests of a particular ethnic, linguistic, or regional group. They aim to address issues important to that group. Many countries have ethnic and regional parties to give minority groups a voice.
Populist Party
Populist parties, also known as people’s parties, claim to represent the interests of ordinary citizens. They criticize establishment elites and mainstream political parties as being out of touch. Populist parties often have a charismatic leader and promote a nationalist, anti-immigration platform.
National Party
National Parties are parties that have a strong presence and following in several states or areas of a country. They are often larger in terms of membership and resources, with a national-level leadership structure.
Splinter Party
Splinter Parties are parties that are created by a group of members who split away from an existing party, usually due to ideological or leadership conflicts.
Opposition Party
Opposition Parties are parties that oppose the ruling party or coalition and are generally critical of the government’s policies and actions.
Governing Party
These parties are part of the ruling government and support its policies and actions.
In most democracies, you’ll find a mix of these different types of political parties competing for power and trying to shape policy discussions. They provide options for voters and help give a voice to diverse interests and agendas in a society. Of course, some are more reasonable and constructive than others, but overall, political parties play an important role in representing citizens and enabling choice in democracies.
The Three Types Of Party Systems
One-party system
In a one-party system, only one political party exists or has power. All other political parties are either outlawed or allowed to exist only as ineffectual minority parties. For example, in China, only the Communist Party is allowed to rule, and no other parties are allowed to seriously compete for power.
Two-party system
A two-party system is a party system where two major political parties dominate voting in all elections at every level of government. For example, in the United States, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are the two dominant political parties. Third parties have not had any representation in Congress for decades. The two-party system makes it extremely difficult for third parties to win any elections.
Multi-party system
A multi-party system is a system in which three or more political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition. Unlike two-party systems, multi-party systems tend to give rise to coalition governments. For example, in the UK, Canada, and Germany, no single party typically secures a majority of seats, so parties must work together to form coalition governments. Multi-party systems allow for a diversity of viewpoints in government and give voters more choice, but they can also lead to political instability.
In summary, most democracies in the world fall under either two-party or multi-party systems. One-party systems are typically seen as undesirable and undemocratic. No system is inherently better, and each has its pros and cons in representing citizens and forming stable governments.
Major Functions of Political Parties
Political parties serve essential functions in a democracy. They organize people with similar political beliefs and bring them together to achieve common goals. Let’s explore the main functions that political parties perform.
Recruiting and Nominating Candidates
One of the most important functions of political parties is finding and nominating candidates to run for political office. Parties scout candidates, often called “recruiting,” to determine who has the best chance of winning an election. Then, they choose or “nominate” the candidate that will represent the party for a particular office.
As a party, you want to nominate candidates that embody the party’s key values and priorities. You’ll evaluate potential candidates based on things like their political experience, community involvement, and stance on important issues. The ideal candidate is someone voters can relate to and who is articulate and charismatic.
Once the party finds strong candidates, the nominating process begins. This often involves local caucuses and primaries where party members vote to choose their nominee. The nominee then becomes the party’s candidate for that political office. They campaign to get elected and hopefully win the position so they can advocate for the party’s platform.
An effective nominating process results in candidates that energize party members and appeal to a broad base of voters. If candidates are too extreme or polarizing, they likely won’t win the general election. Parties must find the right balance between nominating someone who embodies the party’s values but can also capture moderate voters. Compromise and inclusiveness are key.
The recruiting and nominating process is really the foundation of a party’s success or failure in an election. Without strong, electable candidates, a party has little chance of gaining political power or influencing policy decisions. So, parties devote considerable time and resources to finding candidates that can win over voters and ascend to positions of leadership. The future of the party depends on it.
Organizing and Running Election Campaigns
Political parties play an important role in organizing and running election campaigns. They recruit candidates to run for office and help them develop their campaign platforms and strategies. Once candidates are selected, the party provides them with guidance and resources to spread their messages to voters.
Parties build enthusiasm and garner support for their candidates in several ways. They hold rallies, fundraisers, and other events where candidates can connect with voters face-to-face. The party also creates promotional materials like yard signs, bumper stickers, and buttons that supporters can display to show their allegiance.
Behind the scenes, the party coordinates phone banking, canvassing neighborhoods, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Volunteers will call registered party members and urge them to vote on election day. Door-to-door canvassers distribute pamphlets promoting the candidates and their positions. The party also organizes transportation to polling places for supporters who may have difficulties getting there on their own.
In today’s digital age, social media and online outreach have become crucial parts of any campaign. Parties help candidates maximize their online presence through optimized websites, social media profiles, email newsletters, and online ads. They craft messages, hashtags, and shareable social media content to spread the word about events and rally support.
Running a modern election campaign requires substantial funding, and parties provide financial backing for their candidates. They help raise money through donations from individuals, political action committees, and other groups that share the party’s values and priorities. The party then allocates these funds to candidates to pay for everything from promotional materials to television ads and travel expenses.
In summary, political parties play an integral role in championing their candidates and coordinating successful election campaigns. From recruiting candidates and crafting their platforms to raising money, organizing events, coordinating outreach, and providing messaging guidance, parties function as the backbone of our political process. Their efforts are essential for engaging voters and upholding democratic elections.
Mobilization and Education of Voters
Political parties play an important role in mobilizing and educating voters. They help get people engaged and informed in the political process so they can make their voices heard on Election Day.
Parties mobilize voters by organizing registration drives and get-out-the-vote campaigns. They set up booths at events, go door-to-door, call people, send mailers, and run social media ads, all to encourage folks to register to vote and then actually cast their ballot. Some parties rely more on grassroots efforts from dedicated volunteers, while others pour significant funds into professional staff and marketing to maximize the turnout of likely supporters. Either way, the goal is the same: get as many people as possible to the polls who will vote for your candidates.
Educating voters is another key function. Parties spread their message and platform to shape public opinion. They do this through advertising, social media, news media appearances, public events, and distributing educational materials. The party’s candidates also play a role by participating in debates, interviews, talk shows, and town halls. All of these efforts aim to inform citizens about the party’s positions and proposals so they can make an educated choice come election time.
Of course, there is an inherent bias in the spread of information between parties. They promote ideas and policies that align with their own agenda. However, by raising awareness of the issues, parties prompt voters to think about what matters to them and what direction they want to see the country move in. And by giving citizens a say through free and fair elections, democracies enable voters to choose between different visions for the future.
Coordinate Policymaking
Political parties aim to win elections so they can influence policymaking and pass legislation that aligns with their values and priorities. To win elections, parties nominate candidates, run campaigns, get out the vote, and sway public opinion.
Once in power, parties work to enact their policy agenda. They coordinate with party members in the legislature to introduce, debate, and vote on bills. The majority party, which holds the most seats, has the most sway in determining which bills make it to the floor for consideration. Parties use their majority power to set legislative priorities, control committee appointments, and push their agenda.
Even when not in the majority, parties can still influence policymaking by building coalitions, negotiating, and compromising with other parties. They work to achieve incremental changes by finding common ground and areas of agreement. The minority party also acts as the opposition by criticizing majority party policies, voting against bills, and rallying public opinion.
Political parties are essential for bridging the gap between citizens and government. They give voters a choice of policy platforms and directions for the country. Parties also help elected officials organize around shared goals so they can work together effectively to make and change laws. Without political parties, policymaking would be chaotic and unfocused.
Parties face many challenges in fulfilling these functions, including overcoming polarization, appealing to a wide range of citizens, and balancing party loyalty with negotiation. However, when the system is working well, political parties are fundamental to a thriving democracy.
Organizing the Government
Political parties play an essential role in organizing governments and political processes. Once elected, the party in power will form the government by appointing ministers and crafting policies. The opposition parties then provide criticism and alternative proposals to create a system of checks and balances.
As the party in power, you’ll select members of your party to take on leadership roles within the government. This includes appointing ministers to oversee different departments like finance, education, healthcare, and transportation. The leaders of these departments will then hire other party members as political staff. In this way, the elected party is able to staff the entire government with like-minded individuals to help implement their vision and agenda.
The opposition parties play an equally important function. By criticizing the policies and actions of the ruling party, they provide alternative viewpoints and hold the government accountable to the people. The opposition may point out flaws in proposed legislation, bring public attention to political scandals, or argue that the interests of certain groups are not being addressed. A healthy system of opposition prevents the concentration of too much power in one party.
Articulating Policies and Shaping Public Opinion
Political parties play an important role in shaping public opinion and articulating policies. They spread their policy positions and try to garner popular support for their stances. Parties articulate their vision for society and try to persuade citizens to adopt their policy preferences.
Through political campaigns, public events, media platforms, and community outreach, parties promote their policy proposals and try to shape how people think about key issues. They frame issues in ways that are persuasive and help voters understand complex topics. Parties translate their ideological values and priorities into concrete policy solutions.
For example, a party may promote its views on issues like taxation, healthcare, education, immigration, or the environment. They craft policy proposals, draft legislation, and release policy papers, all in an effort to build support for their vision. Parties try to tap into citizens’ hopes, values, and priorities to make a case for their policy agenda.
Public opinion is fluid, and parties continually work to understand citizens’ concerns and shape opinions. As issues emerge and events unfold, parties react and put forward new policy ideas. They commission public opinion research to better understand voters’ attitudes and values. Parties tweak their messaging and policy platforms based on what they’re hearing.
While shaping public opinion, parties must speak to a diverse range of citizens with a variety of viewpoints. They have to balance appealing to their base supporters with attracting moderates and independents. Parties that fail to persuade citizens and build a broad coalition of support will struggle to implement their policy agenda. In democracies, public opinion and the consent of citizens is essential for parties to achieve their goals.
In summary, articulating persuasive policies and shaping public opinion is a key function of political parties in democracies. Parties spread their vision, promote their priorities, and work to build support for their agenda so they can ultimately influence policymaking. It’s an ongoing effort that requires parties to continually adapt to citizens’ evolving concerns and values.
Fosters Civic Participation
Political parties foster civic participation. They encourage people to get engaged with campaigns, vote in elections, contact their political representatives, join local party organizations, and more. Such participation strengthens a democratic system.
Provides Political Stability
Political Parties provide political stability. In a system with many small, fractured parties, it can be difficult to form a coherent government. Two broad-based parties, on the other hand, encourage mainstream candidates and policies that most citizens can support.
Political Parties are Pivotal to Representative Democracy
Although they are imperfect institutions, they serve essential functions that empower citizens and facilitate responsive and effective governance. A system without strong, organized parties would struggle to nominate candidates, spread ideas, mobilize voters, and govern. For all their flaws, they make democracy work.
In summary, political parties are essential for organizing government functions, informing voters, shaping policy, providing opposition, representing groups, encouraging participation, and ensuring stability. While not perfect, parties strengthen and sustain modern democracies.
Conclusion
So, in the end, political parties really do matter. Even if you don’t always agree with the party you identify with, being part of a party helps strengthen democracy. Parties give you a team to belong to and leaders to follow. They help inform your opinions on issues. Parties turn raw ideas into real policies and platforms. And they transform individuals into groups that can get candidates elected. So next time you vote, give your party some credit. Political parties bring people together to turn their political dreams into realities.