BPSC-133 Unit- 7 Political parties and party systems, Notes available for IGNOU.

BPSC-133 OVERVIEW :-

BPSC-133 UNIT – 7 POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS  (NOTES)

TOPICS :-

1. Political parties
2. Functions of parties
3. Party and party systems
4. Trends in the evolution of party organisation.

7.1 POLITICAL PARTIES :-

Political party gathers people on common lines and them, shapes popular opinion and puts it across on a wider front on behalf of its supporters. However, till the mid-19^th century, they were regarded as harful enties serving opposing groups at the expense of individual liberly and common good. But after the expansion of civil rights and electoral franchise , it gained importance. In comparative politics perspective, it means –

A). Continuity in organization.

B). Manifest and presumably permanent organization at local level.

C). Self-conscious determination of leader, at both national and local levels to hold decision making power.

D). A concern on the part of organization for seeking followers at polls or gaining popular support.

7.2 FUNCTION OF PARTIES :-

Six categories include

1. It unite sectional interest, bridge the geographical differences and induce cohesion. This ensures both order and systems maintenance.
2. It contribute to democratic government by nominating candidate for election. They carry out campaign to win elections and minimize the danger by setting up their candidate in different constituencies.
3. It help democratic government by structuring voting choice reducing the number of candidate on the ballot to those who have realistic chance of winning. Parties winning sizeable vole in past elections are likely to win in future also.
4. It stands for coordination within government. It acts as abridge between legislature and executive in both forms of government.
5. It also help voters choose candidates by proposing alternative programme of government action in the form of party manifestos. The specific policies may vary from candidate and from election to election.
6. Though victory is certainly the first commandment of it but in democracy defeat also, is does not mean its demice. In that case, it act as a critic and watchdog of the governments  policy. They this to include both political and socio- economic development.

7.3 PARTY AND PARTY SYSTEMS :-

Party systems represents the whole political spectrum in which political parties are the constituent units. In this, they respond to each other in a competitive struggle to shape and influence the government . There are significant variations in the arrangement functions and number of political party in a system. Mourice Duverger pioneered the classification of party systems by tew broad categories –

• One party system including – one – party systems or dominant party system.
• Pluralist party including – two – party system and multi party system.
• Two party system :- In this , two major political parties share core values. Neither of them is more stable or powerful than the other on a permanent basis. There is constant competition between them . Besides, there may be one or more smaller parties who can neither come to power nor influence outcome of election, they may only associate with one of the major party.
• Multi- party system :- It has presence of fairly large number of parties, big or smaller, contesting for power through  election. In this, party getting  highest  seats  forms the government. In case  no party wins majority, coalition government is formed.
• One-  party system :- Here, only single party hold power, though minor parties are allowed to exist, but have no power to hold the government. This systems stands at the lowest in democratic index scale.
• Dominant party system :- In this, several parties but only one party has the capabilities to form the government. In this, other oarties have rare chance of coming to power though it is rooted in democratic traditions. Its emergences is influenced by factors such as popularity among, charismatic leadership, strong organizational structures, etc. Eg congress dominance in India form 1952-1967, BJP in current times.

7.4 TRENDS IN THE EVOLUTION OF PARTY ORGANISATION :-

In the early stage, parties were created internally within the parliament to voice common concerns and fight an effective campaign. They are rfferred to as caucus parties. With the rise of nationalism in the first half of 20^th century and spread of adult franchise, it broadened which led to rise of mass parties, parties wih large parties, parties with large membership and a bureaucratic, centralized and hierarchical form of organization. It is originated outside parliament. Untill mid-20^th, western democracies were dominated by particularistic parties I,e. Parties that confine their appeal to a particular segment of population. These were defined essentially by their social class base. But in latter half of 20 th century, with universal adult franchise, political parties move towards catch all organization or rainbow coaliations that appealed. In recent opast, with spread of information and easy communication, parties use social media to connect with supporters but this led to –

1. Parties no longer deeply connect to social
2. Parties are losing mass and competitive character.