Party systems. What is the role of political parties?

A party system is the range of political parties in a given political system. It is characterised by the number of parties, their ideology and how they interact and compete with each other.

One-party system – only one party operates (China-communism), two party-system – any variety of parties can compete but in which there are only two parties in serious contention for power (USA-Democratic and Republican parties), multiparty systmesare any open, democratic systems with more than two political parties (Netherlands)

 

Political parties have as their central purpose the acquisition of power and the direction of policy. Because of their organizational structure and because they link the state and society, political parties are the "miracle glue" of modern politics.

 

 

Exam card #13

1 Civil, political, social rights

Civil rights - The first of T. H. Marshall’s rights of citizenship; those rights that guarantee individual freedom as well as equal, just, and fair treatment by the state.

Political rights - The second of T. H. Marshall’s rights of citizenship; those rights associated with active political participation: right to association, expression, voting, and running for office.

Social rights - The third of T. H. Marshall’s rights of citizenship; those rights related to basic well-being and socioeconomic equality.

 

2 Functions of political parties. Mobilization of Citizens.

A political party is a group of officials that is linked with a sizable group of citizens into an organization;

A chief object of this organization is to ensure that its officials attain power or are maintained in power.

Parties have as their central purpose the acquisition of power and the direction of policy.

•a party joins people together in a more or less formally organized structure with membership that sets those who are in the party apart from the rest.

•For instance, the Conservative party of Britain has about 400,000 dues-paying members.

•The Communist party of China has 48 million members, who must pass a probationary period before they are accepted for full membership.

•Because of their organizational structure and because they link the state and society, political parties are the "miracle glue" of modern politics.

•They were invented by politicians for a particular, self-interested reason, but have proved adaptable to such a wide variety of other purposes

•As an organization combining officeholders with a national support network, the party offers a natural tool for the state's leaders to reach out and either control or stimulate the populace on behalf of its policies.

•A party may also mobilize masses of people against a regime. Many of today's political parties —the Congress party in India, for example, or the National Front for Liberation in Algeria—were initially organized in order to carry out a campaign to overthrow a colonial ruler like Britain or France

•The political party, which binds a large number of government officials together in its organization, provides a good conduit for the exercise of power.

•A party system is the range of political parties in a given political system. Usually, but not necessarily, a country.

A party system is characterized by:

•The number of (relevant) parties

•The political and ideological nature of these parties

•How they interact and compete with each other

•One-party systems are systems in which only one party is legally entitled to operate.

•Obviously, these are not democracies, but often the party functions in organizing political communication between the government and the population—

•fielding complaints and requests from the population,

•transmitting orders from the state's leaders. Example includes China with its Communist party.

•Two-party systems are open, democratic systems in which any variety of parties may compete, but in which there are only two parties in serious contention for power.

•Two-party systems do not offer as wide a range of choices to voters as systems with more parties.

•And because each of the parties must try to appeal to half or more of the population, the parties tend to have muddy policy positions, vague enough to allow almost anyone to be a supporter.

•On the other hand, with just two parties, one of the two will always have a majority in any governmental body, and this may make policy-making work better.

•Examples of two-party systems include the United States, with its Democratic and Republican parties, and Britain, with its Conservative and Labor parties—although Britain does have a sizable third party, the Liberal Democratic Party, that is unlikely ever to attain power.

Multiparty systems are any open, democratic systems with more than two political parties. Such systems offer a wider range of choices to voters.

A good example is the Netherlands.

More than two parties win enough seats and must govern in coalition

E.g. India (since 1989), Israel

One result of a multiparty system is that usually no one party will control a majority in the legislative body.

So in order to govern, some of the parties must form a coalition—a formal alliance of parties, all of whose members agree to support a common program.

In the Dutch Parliament, for instance, a coalition of the Labor party, the People's Party for Freedom, and Democrats 66 was formed after the 1998 elections.

Multiple parties exist, but one wins every election and governs continuously E.g. India under Congress (to 1989); South Africa under ANC

Usually this system results from a major crisis out of which one party has emerged as the state's founder or savior.

In early elections, it naturally wins most of the public offices; it then is able to use its control of patronage to perpetuate itself for many years.

 

Exam Card #14

1 Civil society

Civil society is seen as a social sphere separate from both the state and the market. The increasingly accepted understanding of the term civil society organizations (CSOs) is that of non-state, not-for-profit, voluntary organizations formed by people in that social sphere. This term is used to describe a wide range of organizations, networks, associations, groups and movements that are independent from government and that sometimes come together to advance their common interests through collective action. Traditionally, civil society includes all organizations that occupy the 'social space' between the family and the state, excluding political parties and firms. Some definitions of civil society also include certain businesses, such as the media, private schools, and for-profit associations, while others exclude them.

By definition, all such civic groups are nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), in that they are organizations not affiliated with government.

 

2 Why and how do people participate in the political process?

Citizens vote and become engaged in other civic activities. Citizens may contact public officials via phone, mail, e-mail, or other means. Citizens can promote public awareness in meetings, advertisements and political campaigns. Citizens can volunteer in local and nationwide organizations. They can also donate resources such as money, connections, time, and advice. People may pursue public office and other forms of public service. Parents volunteer at local schools and after school programs. Students get involved in school-based and other programs that improve community life. People get involved in politics for a variety of reasons. They may be personally motivated because of an event that changed their lives. They may receive invitations to participate from friends, organizations, political parties, or a candidate’s campaign. A person’s socialization, life experience, and attitudes toward politics can influence participation. Some people have a strong sense of civic duty and a belief that they can influence government, which compels them to act. Barriers, such as legal obstacles, may preclude some people from engaging politically.

Political parties. A political party is a group of officials that is linked with a sizable group of citizens into an organization;

A chief object of this organization is to ensure that its officials attain power or are maintained in power.

Parties have as their central purpose the acquisition of power and the direction of policy.

•a party joins people together in a more or less formally organized structure with membership that sets those who are in the party apart from the rest.

•For instance, the Conservative party of Britain has about 400,000 dues-paying members.

•The Communist party of China has 48 million members, who must pass a probationary period before they are accepted for full membership.

•Because of their organizational structure and because they link the state and society, political parties are the "miracle glue" of modern politics.

•They were invented by politicians for a particular, self-interested reason, but have proved adaptable to such a wide variety of other purposes

 

Exam card #15

 

1 What is a state? The theories of state origin.

A state is a set of ongoing institutions that develops and administers laws and generates and implements public policies in a defined territory.

Territory: An area with clearly defined boundaries